Blizzard: "major project announcement in 2007"
by Ross Miller 
{ Aug 24th 2006 at 8:25PM }
"StarCraft is my absolutely favorite game of all time. As you probably already know, there is no doubt that we will continue the StarCraft and Diablo franchise, and trust me, I will be the happiest person in the world when we announce StarCraft 2."
Blizzard currently has three other titles in the works, excluding the aforementioned "major project" set for a 2007 unveiling. Of those four, we expect one to be another expansion for World of Warcraft. Is Blizzard working on sequels to StarCraft and Diablo 2? Of course they are, they'd be a fool not to continue those franchises.
Regardless of what title is announced, it will likely take years before we see anything tangible. Blizzard is notoriously secretive, but have a very envious track record with their projects.
See Also:
Does Blizzard need a little help with StarCraft 2?
Blizzard refocuses efforts away from consoles
Exclusive: Joystiq interviews WoW's Jeff Kaplan
[Thanks, pandlcg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wulkar @ Aug 24th 2006 8:31PM
I LOVED diablo 2 and if they are making another one i cant wait. i think the only way they could kill the diablo franchise is if they do a first-person diablo..but if it is like diablo 2 i will be in heaven.
Kevin @ Aug 24th 2006 8:46PM
Geez, this is like me telling my mom "I MIGHT HAVE A BABY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS". Good grief, Blizzard.
Is there any chance of a "World of Starcraft" game?
Dr.Swiss @ Aug 24th 2006 8:48PM
There's only one MMORPG that can be the next WoW killer, and they're going to announce it in 07!
Whooo!! Bring on DoD!!!!!!!! Dungeons of Diablo!!!!
PvpMan22 @ Aug 24th 2006 8:51PM
...speechless...
Brad Lee @ Aug 24th 2006 8:52PM
Starcraft 2 is long, loooooong overdue.
I still think Starcraft + Broodwar Expansion = the best strategy game of all time. Even the storyline was top-notch. Starcraft was one of the only games I've ever played where I was actually interested in the storyline.
I can't wait for a sequel, so I can put that bitch Kerrigan back in her place.
carg0 @ Aug 24th 2006 9:05PM
Considering how much time they've spent with their Warcraft franchise (WarCraft 3, Frozen Throne Exp.) and wasted with their pathetic attempts at getting StarCraft: Ghost off the ground, I could care less about anything Blizzard has to say at this point. Especially when you consider all of the talent that left in recent years.
I love Diablo, StarCraft and WarCraft but don't waste our time on "Hey, we've got something big to announce in 2007, we promise! Hey, look at me! Give me attention! We're still important despite the fact that we've lost most (if not all) of our original talent."
Until said annoucement "In 2007" Blizzard should look busy and say nothing.
Rallion @ Aug 24th 2006 9:06PM
Starcraft was so good that Blizzard themselves ripped off its plot for Warcraft 3.
Spiza @ Aug 24th 2006 9:06PM
Wouldn't starcraft:ghost still be one of the working projects? I never heard that the game was officially canned.
N3k74r @ Aug 24th 2006 9:15PM
HELL YES STARCRAFT
ronnie @ Aug 24th 2006 9:28PM
They have culled a top play from BNET as an actual employee for balance testing. So starcraft is a bet.
Simes @ Aug 24th 2006 10:08PM
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please please, please let it be Starcraft 2. Please.
Lithium Mirage @ Aug 24th 2006 11:05PM
What we need is Galaxy of Starcraft.
Will @ Aug 24th 2006 11:21PM
Sweet. Not only do we get an announcement of an announcement, we get an announcement of an announcement that is at least 4 months away. I can't wait!
Night Elve @ Aug 24th 2006 11:44PM
StarCraft ¡¡¡¡
I need it so badly ¡¡¡
5ftassassin @ Aug 24th 2006 11:58PM
I swear if it's Diablo or some crap like World Of War Craft but Star Craft universe I'm going to be pissed. I just want Star Craft 2 end of story, no re-inventing the wheel none of this mmropg or mmrokmaklsdjf junk!
Sander @ Aug 25th 2006 12:03AM
Guess what, it's not Starcraft 2. Not by a longshot. Blizzard are not going to kill sales of Starcraft 1 when it's still always in the top 10 selling games of Korea. When that dries up and only then will Starcraft 2 be developed in earnest. (2010?)
That leaves Diablo 3 or possible even Warcraft 4, though the latter would be less desirable. Diablo 3 is being developed and details have repeatedly been leaked (intentionally) to generate mounting hype, possibly building to a game release.
T-Bag @ Aug 25th 2006 12:25AM
I don't know if you guys know this but the Star Craft sp sucked horribly. The only thing going for that game is the online, and since there are hardly any skilled players playing online due to the hacker infestation, the game will inevitably fail.
Diablo... I don't even have to talk about how bad that game was hacked. LOL A quote I recall from a D2: LOD player was rather fitting, and here is how it went: "Enigma was just released and everyone in the game already has it, wtf?" It'd be a disaster to gamers if the next installment is just as hacked. Especially since the Diablo games are quite simply unplayable in sp mode. Gets way too boring and hard real quick.
steve @ Aug 25th 2006 12:44AM
nice, i will have my fingers crossed praying for another starcraft and diabolo series.
Ben Hobbs @ Aug 25th 2006 1:28AM
World of Warcraft for the xbox360?
guy @ Aug 25th 2006 1:30AM
world of starcraft or world of diablo... *sighs*
they could dominate pc gaming for years to come
Jason @ Aug 25th 2006 1:36AM
If they turn the Starcraft or Diablo franchises into MMOs, I'd be disappointed as well. I'm crossing my fingers for another Diablo, but moreover, Starcraft 2.
And if it's something bad for PC gamers like them making WoW on the 360 and PS3, I'll be verrrry sad...
The3rdNuisance @ Aug 25th 2006 2:33AM
Not to talk like many people my age but,
Fuck Starcraft 2. I hope they made a deal with Vivendi and are making Metal Arms 2, as I say, (Or at least type, and erase.) on every Joystiq post about Blizzard.
Miichael @ Aug 25th 2006 3:10AM
just release the diablo2 code so we can do a graphics overhaul
k thanks
DarkPen @ Aug 31st 2006 7:37PM
....so...... whatever happened to starcraft ghost? oh, that's right, they took whatever material the original development group was doing, then turned it into an action third person shooter, then tossed it away. FUCK you, blizzard. I'll never play WoW, just for that.
Mack Swift @ Aug 25th 2006 8:43AM
If it is indeed Starcraft 2 they're hinting towards; knowing Blizzard; it's been in development for awhile. Which means, my guess anyways, is that come X-Mas 2007, we'll be clogging Blizzard.net with Starcraft 2 battles.
Pzyk @ Aug 25th 2006 9:03AM
GOD FORBID Blizzard makes a new franchise. GOD FORBID they make yet another hit with a new game while not beating a dead horse. GOD FORBID they not use the millions of designers, thinkers, and workers they have at their hands to create a huge time-sinking-money-chewing-profit-mongering hit that'll be the next thing on everyone's "BUY IT NOW NOW NOW!" list.
Jesus. Stop pandering for a sequel. Blizzard is most definitely capable of creating a new game, and probably WILL be announcing said game in 2007.
Besides. Don't talk out of your ass.
1) Diablo universe is almost done. Dead and done. There's nothing left lorewise to suck up.
2) Starcraft 2 is a likely product, and would a fine game to release anytime. World of Starcraft is not. Don't even think they'll release that. Not when WoW already has the biggest fan base already, not to mention the constant pandering for updates by said fanbase. 1 MMORPG is a lot to deal with. 2 MMORPGS would not generate more profit than they do now with 1, and would probably lose money due to wasted efforts on costs. HOWEVER. There is quite a bit left to deal with lore-wise, and lots of potential left.
3) Warcraft universe. Well they've already spent too much time on it, so it's unlikely they'll spend more time on another game in this universe.
Fischsticks @ Aug 25th 2006 9:51AM
duh guys they are obviously updating the death and return of superman to bring it onto the PS3/360
//i really hope its starcraft 2
Todd @ Aug 25th 2006 9:57AM
For those of you ragging on World of Warcraft, get bent. Sounds like simple jealousy to me. So what Blizzard has spent time and resources into improving, and creating, new content for a great MMO. Are you asking them to do abandon that project? How stupid.
I couldn't care less about StarCraft 2. That's what we all need, another real time strategy game to add to the still growing list of real time strategy. If they were to make a StarCraft Galaxies (or whatever the title will be) MMO game than you can believe it'll be just like WoW in the contruction and mind frame. Otherwise it'll just be another real time strategy, and at this point you might as well play the original. I can't see Blizzard rehashing the same tired game in favor of better graphics. Chances are, if a new StarCraft game is made, it'll be so completely different that most of you will hate it.
As for a Diablo 3 game. While I would love to see another one made, do you really think D3 will as successful with the proven success of games like WoW? The true MMO format that Blizzard has adopted works very well. In order to continue the same style of game play of the previous Diablo games, I don't see Blizzard making a D3 MMO.
Matt @ Aug 25th 2006 10:28AM
I needs me some Starcraft 2.
rihahn @ Aug 25th 2006 11:25AM
First person Diablo? Check out Hellgate London - Basically Diablo 3 as it's made by the same guys, has the same design goals - and from what I've seen at the shows, the same sound effects, inventory system, etc, etc...
A new Starcraft *is* in the works, judging by the folks ol' Blizz has been hiring in the last few months and the talk in the local coffee shops.
Of course all of this is just my humble opinion based on the view from my office window here in Irvine...
MajorBill @ Aug 26th 2006 11:18AM
If you guys read the rest of the interview on IGN, Blizzard says they are not a MMORPG company. They release what the consumer wants, so I doubt any "Galaxy of Starcraft" or World of Diablo.
If it is Starcraft 2, I CAN'T WAIT!!!
Thryon @ Aug 25th 2006 11:46AM
See, I made a comment yesterday putting Blizzard on notice unles they gave me Diablo 3 news. But Blizzard, I said I wanted something BEFORE the end of the year, and not in 2007. You still have a few months to announce Diablo 3, or you are still dead to me.
KrazyIan @ Aug 25th 2006 11:55AM
I love their games to death, and want Starcraft 2 more than anything, I still wish they would start a new franchise or make a different type of game.
phillosmaster @ Aug 25th 2006 12:43PM
"I don't know if you guys know this but the Star Craft sp sucked horribly."
Either you're on crack or you're just trolling. I haven't decided which yet.
Starcraft's single player narrative is perhap the best ever concieved by Blizzard. The difficulty ramped up nicely so that by the time you had finished to game you were ready to compete on battlenet without fumbling with the basics.
Did you actually play Starcraft?
ghostblur @ Aug 25th 2006 1:06PM
I beg thee Blizzard, please bring Starcraft 2 to the masses. And ... how many babies do we need to sacrafice to some dark Cthulhu god to bring about Diablo 3's existence already?
charlie @ Aug 25th 2006 1:38PM
If you look at Blizzards track record, you'll see that you should expect about 5 years from the day a game is announced to the day it finally comes out. I hope I'm wrong, but if they announce Starcraft 2 in early 2007, I wouldnt expect to see it before 2012, maybe 2011 at the absolute earliest. Thats a long fucking time.
VinceP @ Aug 25th 2006 3:40PM
Starcraft MMORTS?
Still a RTS where you control a base and it's armies. MMO where the universe of players are all connected into a persistant... universe.
Schaff @ Oct 5th 2006 4:19PM
DUDE StarCraft 2 is way over due, it's been what... 10 years??? idk way to long in my book.
If you ask me i think they have been focusing on WoW to much and not enough on SC2. I can't believe they canceled StarCraft Ghost what a waste of hype on that game.
They had better not make a MMO Starcraft they already got a perfect MMO.
D3 had the shittiest storyline ever and yet i want a D3... Hmm i guess i just want to know what happens to the earth after the world stone was destroyed...
Diablo @ Oct 12th 2006 3:57AM
Diablo 3 HAS to be one of these product announcements. Blizzard just came out with a Diablo trilogy (books!). They are keeping the franchise alive and warming it for a 2007 announcement:
http://www.maxfreak.com/diablo3/archives/diablo-is-back/