Rumor: Retail chains showing December 3 release date for Starcraft II

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 22nd 2008 at 5:30PM }

Many froth-mouthed fans of Blizzard's intergalactic real-time strategy masterpiece Starcraft have anxiously been awaiting word on when the next installment of the series would land in their anticipatory laps. Blizz has been characteristically tight-lipped about the title's launch window, though we were recently informed that an online SKU search for Starcraft II on Best Buy, Circuit City, and Gamestop's web sites reveal the same supposed release date of December 3, 2008. With no confirmation from Blizzard, it's far from official -- though we imagine this won't stop dedicated zerglings from dropping by the office tomorrow, and requesting off the last month of the year.

[Thanks, Chad.]

Tags: bestbuy, blizzard, circuitcity, gamestop, release, releasedate, rumor, starcraft, starcraft-2, starcraft-ii, strategy

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

sifer2400 @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:45PM

this is a good game i can wait tho im in no rush to buy it after all theres gona be so many great titles this holiday season

fredrik_dunder @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:03PM

They need to change the LEGO graphics before they ship anything

Einhanderkiller @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:15PM

You don't like the graphics?
I think they look pretty amazing for an RTS.

Wes @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:48PM

I wouldn't like the graphics revamped in terms of art-style. In terms of resolution, color depth or new sprites for new units, etc, go ahead. Part of Starcraft was the lore created by the single player missions, manuals and cgi scenes.

Most people at the time considered the art style, cgi and gameplay to be excellent by comparison to the competition. Heck, they even made a collector's edition dvd that contained all the cgi fmv on a standard dvd to play in your dvd player four years after the release of the expansion which sold out.

An equally important part was the dark-ish(for the time) art style that helped set the tone of the universe. I wouldn't want them to destroy that art style to remove the so called 'Lego' graphics.

Like the Xel'Naga who bread the Zerg and were teachers to the Protoss. I'm still wondering what will happen to the Queen of Blades after her hallow victory in brood wars. Having destroyed all other sides, betrayed her comrades and coming out victorious, she's left with nobody but herself and her mindless millions of minions.

My question which I'm wondering is how much more technically advanced the Terrans will be in SC2. Originally, the Terrans from SC1 where prisoners who were cryogeneically frozen for 2-3 centuries on their trip into deep space to establish colonies.

Same thing as England did to establish their colony in Australia. So earth should be 2-3 centuries of research further than whatever the Terrans had available to them since the cryogenically frozen Terran's shouldn't have been able to improve their battleships, marines, tanks, goliaths, etc.

Maybe earth would have stim packs version 3? Less health decrease, more dmg increase?

Kael @ Jun 23rd 2008 2:47AM

Wes, the Terran faction you played as in Brood War's campaign was a fleet from the United Earth Directorate, or UED. They were recently dispatched from Earth, but their technology was, aside from two new units, the same for some reason.

Am I remembering this wrong?

Turkish Superman @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:48PM

I'll wait for official confirmation before getting too excited.

tevetorbes @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:02PM

NOT ME!

I'm gonna get overly excited just to be disappointed and bitchy when they "push back" the actual release date!

CAN'T WAIT!

/setting self up for disappointment

:P

(In all seriousness, I am really pumped about this!)

Vcize @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:57PM

They can't release SC2 and Gears 2 that closely to each other. They just can't do it. I'll lose my job, my wife, my house, it'll be all over.

Luckily, blizzard games usually go through about 4 delays so maybe I have a chance...

Noshino @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:12PM

...what are you talking about! You pick up SC2, Gears 2 can wait!

Blizzard can release their titles anytime they want, hell, they are the only ones that I think that could destroy a GTA launch...

I mean, StarCraft is still being played on professional competitions...

Oh, and when someone tells you that PC gaming is dying, let them know that just after the announcement of SC2, the sales went up by about 1 million...take that!

Vcize @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:34PM

It'll be the opposite for me. ANYTHING will have to wait for Gears 2. I don't care if they release the Legend of Super Mario Goldeneye: The Ocarina of Niko Bellic on the Playstation 360 virtual reality machine. It would still have to wait.

caramelzappa @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:38AM

Gears comes first. maybe slowly work through sc's campaign between rounds. But Gears comes first.

BigD145 @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:55AM

SC2 first. Gears 2 ... whenever. Even never.

Neebs @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:00PM

I'm sure that will be delayed.

Dio @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:00PM

Doesn't Gamestop make up unofficial release dates just to get preorders though?

Dio @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:00PM

Doesn't Gamestop make up unofficial release dates just to get preorders though?

jdr1235 @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:01PM

Blizzard pushes dates when they announce them so this date is tentative at best. I know I am hooping it's true but it's Blizzard so we will see it only when they are good and ready.

007craft @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:07PM

man wtf. I need more then 10 days with GOW2. Once SC2 hits Im gonna drop everything. I was hoping for at least a couple months with GOW2.

this also spells disaster for halo wars, as no1 will go near that game with SC2 out (yes im aware they are on different platforms but still)

Jakka @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:44PM

"this also spells disaster for halo wars"

As opposed to what?

I am "The" Halo Fanboy and even I'm planning to buy this game just because it's Halo and it's gonna be made by Ensemble and launching a Warthog rush is pretty damn sweet.

nathan @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:13PM

I believe, as always with Blizzard, until the title is on store shelves, the release date is "when it's done!".

Gerik @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:29PM

When Blizzard replies to questions about when their games are going to be released, they reply with "When it's done" not because they're not allowed to say, but because they literally won't release a game until they're satisfied that it's done. I don't even believe they set dates internally that they shoot for. We'll all know the release dates of SC2 and WoW:WotLK maybe a month before they hit shelves.

Noshino @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:42PM

yah, best example of that, StarCraft: Ghost...sigh

Klepto @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:48PM

December 3rd, 09

shadowhunter @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:51PM

it'll just get delayed anyway.

MikeM @ Jun 22nd 2008 6:59PM

Can't be December 3rd. That's a Wednesday, new game day is Tuesday. Sounds like a place holder date for Holiday '08.

Sushi-X @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:17PM

New game day is Tuesday?

Tell that to Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and any of the other hundreds of games that come out on Wednesdays, or Thursdays throughout the year.

Even Hulk was streetdated for a Friday.

Alex @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:01PM

Awesome that's my birthday also the day that Super Smash Bros Brawl was first announced for before it was delayed twice.

Shawn @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:06PM

I can't believe some people are bringing up Gears 2 as if it matters! That game can wait another year for I care, Starcraft IS the godfather of video games, Gears will come and go in a months time. Starcraft will be the biggest worldwide launch this year if Decemeber is it. I'm sure Blizzard is close to finishing, but they don't have to worry about release dates.

Trippy Haps @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:18PM

Retail Employee/Starcraft Fan: -Steps into his manager's office-

Employee: "Boss, I'm going to need the entire month of December off. Thanks."

Boss: "Whoa, whoa, Jenkins! First of all, you've only got a week's worth of vacation time. Secondly, no way am I going to let you use that during the holiday rush!"

Employee: "The amount of Rhinosaurus porn you watch on that computer is mind-boggling."

Boss: "Wha-..excuse me?! How dare you!"

Employee: "When you're friends with the janitor, boss, there are no locked doors."

Boss: "..."

Employee: "..."

Boss: "See you in 2009, Jenkins. Enjoy your vacation."

Kevin @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:57PM

"rhinoceros" = horn nose
"rhinosaurus" = horn lizard

Shawn @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:18PM

well, if that employee was in Europe, specifically France, they would have no problem getting off a month :( it's only us sorry ass Americans that have the "Man's" foot on our backside..

Titanium_Orchid @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:31AM

Zing! +1

juju187 @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:32PM

funny how this will get released before the starcraft ghost... o blizzard with you perfectionist attitude towards dev.

TeraPwn @ Jun 22nd 2008 7:38PM

Ya futureshop here in Canada is saying that too, but it is owned by BestBuy

äsdf @ Jun 22nd 2008 8:18PM

If the stuff Blizzard said on the most recent BliizCast is correct, then StarCraft 2 is still a good ways off. At the most we could hope for the game to be in beta by the end of 08, but to be shipped by December 08? Not happening.

Will @ Jun 22nd 2008 9:14PM

Maybe preorders start.

Preorders a year in advance.

As for the game actually being released on that date, I vote no.

cwhitely @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:03PM

Wow, I sure did create some hubbub with that tip!

343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 22nd 2008 10:06PM

OMG STARCRAFT RELEESE DATZ CONFRMED!!

website design @ Jun 23rd 2008 5:38AM

This is bullshit. Game outlets routinely list fake release dates in hopes of getting more pre-orders. Before the game is officially released, Blizzard will undoubtedly have a beta first which will last until the game is ready to be released. We are far from a correct release date, and if you hear about one that isn't straight from Blizzard, then its not real. At this stage, Blizzard itself doesn't even know it. Its not like they have a vault with 'the date' inside. They are waiting until the game is ready, and thats all.