It´s July, the quiet period is in full swing, and the developers at Blizzard have StarCraft II – one of the most anticipated games in recent memory – ready for store shelves. Twelve years since the launch of the original title, and the world is waiting with bated breath, longing for any news, previews or tidbits about the hottest of hot RTS properties. But wait – have Blizzard merely decided to use the seasonal lull to harvest gamers’ wallets a little more, or is SCII a legitimate sequel? Are the changes truly significant enough justify this release?
First, the facts: StarCraft II has been in development since late 2004, has allegedly cost over $100 million, and features full 3D graphics. Blizzard has been working on ways to update and renew the three existing races (Protoss, Zerg and Terran), by swapping out units and rebuilding existing ones with new skills and weapons. And finally, SCII has been split into 3 titles, starting with Wings of Liberty (Terran based), and continuing with two large expansions, dealing with each of the other races in turn.
Many fans feel that by splitting the campaign into three, and rolling them out in stages, Blizzard is looking to maximize profits from the franchise by forcing gamers to buy the “sequels” to get the full story. Also, by essentially updating the graphics and making a few cosmetic changes, Blizzard are merely sending out a polished re-working of the original title. Given Activision’s (Blizzard´s partner company) reputation for milking franchises to the back teeth, no single brand is safe from worries of rampant profiteering.
In response to this, Blizzard has made clear declarations regarding their intentions with the titles. The initial release is to be treated as a full title with two big expansions, not three separate titles. This should mean that pricing will be reflected in the following releases; Wings of Liberty releases at full price, but the two other campaigns come at a lesser cost. With Blizzard´s reputation for content provision (see Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne as an example), each expansion should be at a decent length and intensity.
The engine updates provide more than reskinning, as every single unit, inch of terrain, vehicle and building has been redesigned from the ground up, paying particular attention to the evolution of the unit in question. For example, the Protoss dragoon has evolved into the “Immortal”, a more heavily armed and shielded variation on the old classic.
Finally, the reputation of Blizzard speaks volumes for the company’s intentions. It is hard to find a Blizzard title that doesn´t show perfectionist care and attention to detail, and the company has built its credibility on its ability to produce detailed and textured worlds which players can really throw themselves into. You only have to look at Diablo, or Warcraft, or even the original StarCraft to see the depth and detail that so few other companies are prepared to entrust to the gamer.
I can only say that I feel that Blizzard is doing the right thing. If it keeps promises about campaign lengths and offers a solid product, then there should be no reason to doubt Blizzard’s benevolent intentions. Fans have been screaming for a sequel since 1998, and Wings of Liberty has the potential to deliver, silence the naysayers, and win new fans in the process. So, no, I don´t reckon StarCraft II is a cash-in. I think it is a well-planned release that could maximize profits and help a flagging genre, without actually ripping anyone off. I´m certainly very excited indeed.
