Blizzard exec hints at Starcraft 2, world reels
Much like the annual Christmas Island red crab migration to the sea, World of Warcraft fans abandoned their keyboards last night to venture into the the considerably more frightening World of Retail. Blizzard's hugely anticipated expansion, The Burning Crusade, enjoyed several midnight launches, one of which took place in London's Oxford Street HMV. Blizzard's VP of business development, Itzik Ben Bassat, took the opportunity to mention that elusive StarCraft sequel."I'm a StarCraft player myself," he said, "and I hope it's not a decade, and we launched StarCraft in 1998, before I'm standing here again, celebrating the next game in the series." Unless he's referring to the sudden resurrection of StarCraft: Ghost (insert unhappy emoticon here), Mr. Bassat is essentially hinting at one of the most obvious and inevitable sequels in a universe that worships money. Be it Starcraft 2 or World of StarCraft, you can rest assured that you'll get your sequel eventually. Whether it'll arrive by 2008, however, seems a bit optimistic in frigid development climes.
[Thanks, kc.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FuzzyPickles @ Jan 16th 2007 9:53AM
It's been a crawling race between this and DNF for how long now?
J Robinson @ Jan 16th 2007 9:54AM
StarCraft is one of the greatest games of all time. Now that Blizzard is literally rolling in money, if StarCraft 2 doesn't live up to expectations, it would be a huge blow to the company and the StarCraft legacy.
(think about it...WoW...$50 per game plus $15 per month times 8 million people times 25 months...thats alot of money)
Ves @ Jan 16th 2007 9:54AM
You know WoW is such a huge success and they have built successful support structure for it (that can be reused for another MMO product), that it would not surprise me in least if Blizzard produced nothing but MMOs from now on. There is no piracy, they have the infrastucture and money is just too alluring. Thier developers love the genre and thier executives do to. Universe of Starcraft is pretty much a given. Now I think the variable is this instance is wether its a RPG, FPS or RTS. No one has done a successful MMOFPS or MMORPG yet, so it would be a great oppourtunity for them to branch out and not neccesarily cannibalize the WoW playerbase (but I think that fear is overstated even if they do another MMORPG). Buy stock in Blizzard.
Ves
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 16th 2007 9:58AM
Blizzard = Frank N. Furter
Fans = Janet Weiss
Frank: "I see you shiver, in anticip-....."
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 16th 2007 9:58AM
"It's been a crawling race between this and DNF for how long now?"
Whoa, hold it. Duke Nuken Forever was an announced title and in development. Starcraft 2 was never announced, and for all we know, has never started development. Starcraft II and Diablo III are, repeat after me, FAN DESIRES. Neither Starcraft II nor Diablo III have EVER been even mentioned as a future title. EVER.
webrunner @ Jan 16th 2007 10:02AM
FuzzyPickles, are you actually suggesting an unannounced game that may not even exist has somehow been delayed?
Jonathan Tran @ Jan 16th 2007 10:30AM
If they make SC2, I'm certainly buying it.
If they make WoSC, I don't know. I think an MMORPG would be bad, since part of the whole atmosphere of SC is the disposability of life. I mean, even the manual said the avg marine's life span was 17 seconds. Now, a MMORTS... the implications could be crazy. Or some kind of rts/mmo mix.... but I expect just plain SC2, MAYBE with 1 or 2 crazy twists, but expect the productivity of the entire nation of S Korea bottom out when that's released.
pinksage @ Jan 16th 2007 10:31AM
WOW, i sure hope this is true. There is still a huge Starcraft fan base (me included). I was waiting for Starcraft on Xbox, but this is even better.
octoberasian @ Jan 16th 2007 10:34AM
If what he says holds true, then this is very exciting news to many Starcraft fans like myself. I would love to have another Starcraft game to play the Zerg again. :3
However, if this goes the way of Starcraft Ghost and keeps getting delayed over and over again until it's been officially canned, then this is something I wouldn't hold to a grain of salt.
xj911 @ Jan 16th 2007 10:36AM
Starcraft 2 and Duke Nukem will be out soon!
:|
Flit @ Jan 16th 2007 10:37AM
Something i've always desired, is a mix of MMORPG and MMORTS. A couple "generals" could be building bases and giving general orders to NPC's to help the RPG players in the field. Wow it would be complex, but so much potential. Get on that blizzard. Whatever you do, do not make a sole RTS with Starcraft 2, you'll only be shooting yourself in the foot. It's been too long, expectations are too high, and it will only lead to tears.
Hammer @ Jan 16th 2007 10:42AM
StarCraft wouldn't work as an MMO. You've only really got a choice of three races to play (Humans, Terrans (ie the colonist humans) and the Protoss) because theres no way they could make the Zerg hive mind work under player control.
I suspect they'd be pushed to write as good a plot as WoW either.
If Blizzard want to work on an new MMO, I suggest they start working on WoW2.
elduder @ Jan 16th 2007 10:43AM
i will only buy it if its an honest to god sequel. no mmo no bs just starcraft.
Andrew Fong @ Jan 16th 2007 11:34AM
IT PRINTS MONEY!!!
Blazur @ Jan 16th 2007 12:14PM
SC2 would be a goldmine for Blizzard. I know SO many people who are overly excited about this game and talk highly about it. The game was released in 1998 and I still enjoy playing it (in fact, I was playing it with a friend for a few hours last Saturday).
I've gotten excited about many games in the course of my life, but no other games holds the same excitement level as SC2 does.
Let us hope...
synergy @ Jan 16th 2007 12:20PM
I just creamed my pants. What I would give to go back to pulling all nighters playing Starcraft! Bring it baby, WOW blows!
Greg S. @ Jan 16th 2007 1:08PM
Even if there wasn't a sequel, a complete graphical remake of Starcraft and Starcraft: Brood War would make me happy. Still, I feel that we really do need a Starcraft 2, especially with how Starcraft: Brood War ended. Without a sequel, I feel that the story is incomplete. However, I have my doubts with the Blizzard of today. Blizzard just hasn't been the same since a number of the more influential members left way back at the start of the Starcraft: Ghost project. And to be honest, I didn't care too much for WoW. It has alot of good traits, but I'm not satisfied. I feel that MMOPRGs have been too dependent on trends, and that it's about time that they be taken to the next level of gameplay. A few have come close, but none of them have hit the breaking point yet. Getting back to the subject at hand, here's hoping for a brighter future in gaming history! Here's hoping for a Starcraft 2!
Philip Karpiak @ Jan 16th 2007 1:31PM
There is absolutely no way Bizzard would release Starcraft 2 in 2008, let alone make it the next title they would develop. Releasing something as highly anticipated as a Starcraft sequel just 1 or 2 years after The Burning Crusade? Highly stupid move.
This quote has also been wrangled by many media sources. I bet every media outlet on the net has their own version of this quote. Take it with a grain of salt.
At best Starcraft: Ghost would come out in 2008 (it wasn't canceled, it's being retooled for next-gen consoles). All my bets are on Diablo 3 coming out before any other Starcraft game comes out.
saeid @ Jan 16th 2007 1:45PM
I love (really love) warcraft and starcraft*** I can't play WOW beacuse it's network and internet game but in my country the internet connections , like tragedy only good for internet browsing (dailup) and spend near 20$ in month for WOW online playing!!! (unless Ibe crazy) beacuse with 20$ I can buy 10 games or more (0.5-5$ for every game now Ican buy every new DVD game for only 2-3$) but the games are copious but the good games like starcraft or warcraft , are modicum and rarity . I love play RTS and Iam near RTS crazier , I finished starcraft/broodwar for 4-5 times (but Im not tired Ican paly it more) and warcraft for 2-3 times but after warcraftIII and some WarHammer I dont See any good RTS game . I cant wait for starcraft 2.
Psaakyrn @ Jan 16th 2007 2:02PM
to #12 Hammer
Actually, I disagree. Natural Selection (Half Life Mod) seels to have it done right. For that matter, anyone waiting for more Starcraft goodness should try said mod, it does not have a Protoss-like group, but for Hive vs Terran simulation (or more commonly known as Alien vs Human), it's actually rather well done.
Basic summary: Humans mine for materials, build factories for equipment, upgrades, and defences, and have an overhead commander directing them (think Starcraft humans, except with people controlling the AI. Humans other than the commander don't get a good radar, but can see "waypoints" set by the commander). Aliens do not have a commander, but have a radar which allows them to see everything their comrades do (aka Hive mind), infest mine-spots for minerals to perform evolutions into different alien types, and alien-type upgrades. Alien types include fast wall-crawlers, ranged fliers, rampaging behimoths.
007craft @ Jan 16th 2007 2:04PM
eek.. Keep up those english classes #19.
I would love to see a starcraft 2. Starcraft is still one of my fav games of all time. I mean thats where my name comes from and ive been using it almost 10 years now. I dont want to see any World of stracraft crap. I was also a huge warcraft fan untill wow came out, which I cant stand. Its not even the monthly fee, its the fact that its an rpg and I dont like rpgs online. An MMORTS might be ok for starfraft 2 but I still say no. I have tried playing around 10-15 different MMO games in my life and I have not enjoyed a single one.
They need to make starcraft 2 as JUST starcraft 2. 12-16 players, 4 races, custom maps, map ediotrs, new units, the works. Just like blizzard used to make RTS games. I also hope blizzard does not add creep and heros like with warcraft 3. Warcraft 3 was still a fun game, but I didnt like the fact that a successful battle rode on the level and survival of your hero. I loved how in starcraft you can escape with 1 scv to an allies base and rebuild up to an army of battle cruisers. Good times.
Howhow @ Jan 16th 2007 2:07PM
if they make a starcraft 2... PLEASE KEEP IT 2D. Don't mess with a formula that works.
Schnozberry @ Jan 16th 2007 2:22PM
I doubt they'd make a Starcraft MMO any time soon. It would just cannibalize their current fanbase. They'd just steal WOW users and put them in Starcraft. The impression that I've gotten from forums and rumors before is that the only people who are really excited about a possible World of Starcraft already play WoW and are already obsessed with Blizzard games.
It would be like taking money from one pocket and moving it to another. My guess is they wait until WoW jumps the shark and people get tired of it and start dropping off. Then they release the new drug into the market, and the crackheads are back at the pipe printing blizzard more money.
nick @ Jan 16th 2007 2:30PM
It will be world of starcraft. Why you ask?
Hmmm..
1) Approx 15 billion annual revenue from WoW.
2) Why not try to repeat #1.
dyll @ Jan 16th 2007 2:49PM
to#1
dude, that formula comes out to 13 billion dollars. i didnt kno wanyone could make a billion dollars w/a game.
Max @ Jan 16th 2007 3:03PM
" my life for Aiur!" "what is it now?" "tacom speaking" "fire it up!" *sigh* good time
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 16th 2007 3:14PM
They'd be printing their own money in a certain Asian country that's completely, crazily obsessed with Starcraft. ;)
Jeff Hogue @ Jan 16th 2007 4:08PM
To all the people who say not to make a straight RTS...STFU. The same expectations were held for WarCraft III, and it lived up to them fully. There's no evidence StarCraft wouldn't do the same.
WedgeTalon @ Jan 16th 2007 5:14PM
I would buy StarCraft 2 in a heartbeat.
I would ignore a StarCraft MMO.
I'm allergic to monthly fees.
Trylks @ Jan 16th 2007 5:57PM
There is no way Starcraft2 will be on time for next year (2008). It would have at least been announced, even considering how secretive is blizzard; the game should already be running pretty much as starcraft:ghost did, crucial decisions should have been made, as the graphics stile*, and so on.
Alpha testing should start in no time, I mean, how long has the alpha testing for WoW and its expansion been? For a RTS that isn't MMO it would be shorter, but considering how successful starcraft was, the expectations on it, and the importance of multiplayer in SC and probably SC2 the alpha testing should be rather long too.
My bet is that he is speaking about Starcraft:Ghost, it was announced for last gen consoles, rumours about next (it was next then) consoles appeared and later it was suspended, maybe not to say that it is in fact being developed for "next" gen consoles, or that they are considering that option.
Time, effort and money has been invested in SC:G, it is probably near completion, blizzard may have continued in some way it, and with all 3 "next" gen consoles now available and with growing user bases it can be released for them all getting a lot of potential buyers. It is logical to release a game for consoles now that so many people are playing WoW in PCs, I don't think blizzard wants PC gamers to stop playing WoW to start playing SC2.
* I think 3D is a no brainer, but considering the power that actual computers have it may be wise to wait a little to release a 3D RTS with good graphics and with low requirements, as blizzard games use to do.
Zegim @ Jan 16th 2007 6:03PM
I so love Starcraft. If it's Starcraft 2, it's all great. It could be a World of Starcraft, and it would be great for me anyway.
alec @ Jan 16th 2007 6:38PM
blizzard finally relizes they need to make a sequel
James @ Jan 16th 2007 6:58PM
Starcraft won't be an MMO mainly because it wouldn't add much to their successful market. They will likely want to attract other gamers rather than gamers already playing WOW.
ackmondual @ Jan 16th 2007 7:03PM
@ #7
""If they make WoSC, I don't know. I think an MMORPG would be bad, since part of the whole atmosphere of SC is the disposability of life. I mean, even the manual said the avg marine's life span was 17 seconds. Now, a MMORTS... the implications could be crazy. Or some kind of rts/mmo mix.... but I expect just plain SC2, MAYBE with 1 or 2 crazy twists, but expect the productivity of the entire nation of S Korea bottom out when that's released.""
It wouldn't matter. If there were a Universe of Starcraft, you could play a hero level marine, ghost (Now those units are made to endure and survive), or have some kick-ass hardware/vehicles to boot.
Case in point, in WoW, you don't control peons and knights and get your ass handed to you in 2 mins. You play as heroes or high level units and build up exp to kick ass.
.
@ #18.
""There is absolutely no way Bizzard would release Starcraft 2 in 2008, let alone make it the next title they would develop. Releasing something as highly anticipated as a Starcraft sequel just 1 or 2 years after The Burning Crusade? Highly stupid move.""
I agree, except my reasoning has nothign to do with WoW. Between beta testing, game balances prior to v1.0, and all other aspects of software development, It took them 4 years to come out with v1.0. If SC2 will live up or do so reasonably close to SC1, it can't be made in haste.
Travi$ @ Jan 16th 2007 9:41PM
MMORTS would totally work. Anyone remember battlezone's 1 & 2? You could easily scale that up and starcraft would be perfect for it. Either way though, Star Cratf 2 will be an amazing game wether an MMORTS or just a plain RTS!
NoHitHair @ Jan 17th 2007 9:07AM
If Starcraft 2 ever does come out and it turns out to be a faithful sequel and excellent game, I could very well abandon all other forms of electronic entertainment.
This, of course, assumes it's a game worthy of the title. Considering the hype it would have to live up to, I'm very hesitant in expecting a masterpiece.
Defenestrator2.0 @ Jan 18th 2007 11:19PM
WHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
StarCraft addicts finally get their drugs back!
Forshard Jakorunt @ Jan 21st 2007 11:31AM
Starcraft 2?Well,no doubt it be a great success for blizzard,but seriously guys.Starcraft 2 isn't going to be out for a couple of years.If starcraft 2 were to be released next year WoW and WoW:BC would lose a LOT of members,and blizzard knows this and they are prepared to...quite litteraly "Prepare the Best for Last".
Starcraft 2 should and most probably will come out in 2-3 years.
Gigi Mushchi @ Feb 5th 2007 10:18PM
Why would you think they want to launch SC2 ?!?! THEY ARE STILL MAKING MILIONS WITH wOw.....NOW...think....if they launch SC2....would you all leave Wow ?!??! 90% would....so...u will see SC2 when ppl are gonna get tired of WoW...i still play it, we all do,so......NO SC2 FOR NOW
DANation @ Feb 16th 2007 8:28PM
I'm hoping Blizzard wakes up and realizes just how pathetic WoW is. There are SO many gamers who want A REAL RTS, NOT SOME WORTHLESS MMO! These are the gamers that want Starcraft 2. Releasing a great sequel wouldn't take all that much away from their WoW gold mine. Do you think WoW players are going to overcome their addiction so fast? Don't be naive.
With that said, however... yeah, they'll wait a bit. Money is all that matters. And seriously, people: it's Blizzard. Need I say more?
Here's to hoping for the best... even though the reality is bleak.
The Templare @ Feb 21st 2007 11:10AM
about frigin time
graham @ Mar 7th 2007 10:19PM
Well honestly, who is to say they havent been working on a SC2 for awhile anyways? Burning crusade used a lot of their development team, but not neccesarily all. Blizzard isnt stupid and ignorant, they know they need to release a SC2, and they need to do it soon. They do know this, and they know that they need to make a good game as well. They are going to release it as a Vista title, im going to assume fall of 2008, perhaps spring 2009. Those are two prime release dates for a SC2. Holiday season, and near summer season. For god sakes though blizzard, at least tell us its real!!
Kitrye @ Apr 1st 2007 1:16PM
How would a non-MMORPG take MMORPG-players away from an MMORPG? Why would Blizzard care? For one Blizzard makes their money weather people log on or not as long as the subscriptions keep renewing. Being an MMORPG player i know that i wouldn't cancel my subscription because i'm playing a different game. thats like saying you would cancel your cable TV subscription cuz you bought a few new DVDs.