Blizzard Developing Starcraft 2?

[bean19]

Gamespot reports (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155152.html) on speculation that arose from a recent Blizzard job posting (http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/level-designer.shtml).

While the job posting appears to be proof positive that Blizzard is working on a new RTS game--which some speculate is Starcraft II--reps for the Vivendi-owned studio weren't tipping their hand. "We have some unannounced projects in development," a rep told GameSpot, "and we'll be revealing more information about those at a later date."
A Starcraft sequel would be neat, I guess, but how good is it going to be with Stieg Hedlund not working for Blizzard anymore? It's going to be like playing a Mario game that Miyamoto didn't make, or a MGS game that Hideo Kojima didn't make.

[tombofsoldier]

Or will it rock anyway?

[Manzy]

They took way too long. I have lost all hope. If it's awesome, then cool. But I can't bear anymore of anticipating this title.

[Cool AN]

I am crossing my fingers.

[S1n1star]

A Starcraft sequel would be neat, I guess, but how good is it going to be with Stieg Hedlund not working for Blizzard anymore? It's going to be like playing a Mario game that Miyamoto didn't make, or a MGS game that Hideo Kojima didn't make.[/i]

Kind of like StarCraft being a Warhammer 40k game that Games Workshop didn't make? :rolleyes:
If you think that any game made in the last 10 years was successful due to only one person's ideas your last name just might be Schaivo.

[GrinR]

IF it happens, prepare for it to look like Warcraft 3 only with more flashy graphics.

It will still have 1/3rd of the screen be a shitty interface
It will still not let you select more than 8-10 units at a time
It will still be fucking fun

[kid cabelgo]

IF it happens, prepare for it to look like Warcraft 3 only with more flashy graphics.

It will still have 1/3rd of the screen be a shitty interface
It will still not let you select more than 8-10 units at a time
It will still be fucking fun

i hate you.
you are correct.

[Adam Blue]

The only things they need to do to make a sequel worth it is no unit cap and unit attack variance. Like, a marine shouldn't be able to shoot a battlecruiser. Also, and I think this would be obvious, bigger maps, zoomed out a lot more and as GrinR said, be able to select more than 8-10 units. Also, air battles should take a page out of Act of War's book.

[AniAko]

A lot of RTS gameplay has changed since the StarCraft days. I can honestly say I HATE most modern approaches to RTS games. With the incredible amount of users STILL playing SC today, I wonder how Blizzard intends to incorporate the new styles of play and still cater to the people who love SC EXACTLY the way it is.

To Blizzard:

I don't care about 3D.
I don't care about changing my POV.
I don't care to zoom in on one character.
I do care about my beloved units from the first SC.
I do care about the 3 races.
I do care about the abilities of the units from the first SC.
I do care about the micromanagement of my units
Heroes are ok
LIMITED new races (if any) are OK

Basically remake the EXACT same game, with new stuff, races, units. Don't change the gameplay one bit, only add to the existing perfect foundation.

EDIT: After reading the posts that occurred while I was writing this, I believe we're all in accordance. :D

[swiftdraw]

I think its a bit late for SC2, nostalgia has firmly set in. Whatever Blizzard does, SC2 won't measure up to the first to the fans. I doubt Blizzard will want to go up against that, so I don't think this is SC2.

[zipR]

Battlezone was the best RTS game I've ever played.

[Borys]

No good can come out of this.

[GigaFuzz]

If this is true, and it eventually comes out, I'll try it, and probably have fun playing it, but the TA fanboy in me forces me to say "I don't care, Supreme Commander > SC2 any day".

As Inevitable Winter says, it will be interesting to see if they will keep the gameplay mechanics the same, or whether they will change it to match more modern RTS games.

[Skytram]

Blizzard has a reputation of quality to uphold with all of their franchises and I seriously doubt that they will allow the release of any title bearing the Starcraft, Warcraft, or Diablo name unless it maintains or enhances that reputation.

Whatever it is, it will not disappoint.

[CapnBob]

Throw in a race of green-skinned humanoids that rely primarily on brute force and an instinctive understanding of rudimentary technology.... maybe a new empire of confederated species cooperating for the greater good... Some demons... a race of machines led by god-like energy beings enshrouded in living metal skins... And then call it a day. Did I miss anything?

[Sion]

Didnt Hideo Kojima sit out MGS3?

[Dr Quincy]

Didnt Hideo Kojima sit out MGS3?

Deliberately miss out the H there?

[Busted_Astromech]

Throw in a race of green-skinned humanoids that rely primarily on brute force and an instinctive understanding of rudimentary technology.... maybe a new empire of confederated species cooperating for the greater good... Some demons... a race of machines led by god-like energy beings enshrouded in living metal skins... And then call it a day. Did I miss anything?
You forgot the hedonistic Protoss alter society.

[Zanzibar]

Battlezone was the best RTS game I've ever played.

*obligatory HELL YES

[DCIII]

But what I really wanted wasn't Starcraft II... What I wanted was Universe of Starcraft.

[Roc Ingersol]

Deliberately miss out the H there?
comic genius.

[Zurik]

A lot of RTS gameplay has changed since the StarCraft days. I can honestly say I HATE most modern approaches to RTS games. With the incredible amount of users STILL playing SC today, I wonder how Blizzard intends to incorporate the new styles of play and still cater to the people who love SC EXACTLY the way it is.

To Blizzard:

I don't care about 3D.
I don't care about changing my POV.
I don't care to zoom in on one character.
I do care about my beloved units from the first SC.
I do care about the 3 races.
I do care about the abilities of the units from the first SC.
I do care about the micromanagement of my units
Heroes are ok
LIMITED new races (if any) are OK

Basically remake the EXACT same game, with new stuff, races, units. Don't change the gameplay one bit, only add to the existing perfect foundation.

EDIT: After reading the posts that occurred while I was writing this, I believe we're all in accordance. :D

It sounds to me like you want a expansion pack for Starcraft rather than a sequel. It would be nice if they did something new though, and I do agree that most moder RTS games suck.

[Damaestrio]

But what I really wanted wasn't Starcraft II... What I wanted was Universe of Starcraft.

Universe of Starcraft = SOMA. 'nuff said.

[Zeal]

Starcraft MMORPG = earth owned.

Although they'll probably keep WoW as the mmorpg and make Starcraft II somekind of massively multiplayer online RTS game.

[AniAko]

It sounds to me like you want a expansion pack for Starcraft rather than a sequel. It would be nice if they did something new though, and I do agree that most moder RTS games suck. In many ways, yes, I do want more of an expansion pack than a sequel. It’s only because after the Brood Wars expansion pack, I don't think that game could be any better. The thing I would like the most is for the gameplay to stay intact. I'd want it to "feel" like I was playing StarCraft, not some bastardized modern space game merely bearing the name StarCraft.

[Freak705]

I know it'll be extremely excruciating to see our beloved StarCraft undergo all these changes, but quite frankly they won't make it exactly the same. As much as that would rock :p Inevitable is right though, it still has to maintain the "feel" of StarCraft.

[Returner]

Gamspot reports (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155152.html) on speculation that arose from a recent Blizzard job posting (http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/level-designer.shtml).


A Starcraft sequel would be neat, I guess, but how good is it going to be with Stieg Hedlund not working for Blizzard anymore? It's going to be like playing a Mario game that Miyamoto didn't make, or a MGS game that Hideo Kojima didn't make.

I would welcome that game.

[Qoz]

In many ways, yes, I do want more of an expansion pack than a sequel. It’s only because after the Brood Wars expansion pack, I don't think that game could be any better. The thing I would like the most is for the gameplay to stay intact. I'd want it to "feel" like I was playing StarCraft, not some bastardized modern space game merely bearing the name StarCraft.
I agree. The popularity of SC is a complex one to figure out, but Blizzard is the only developer I would trust to do it. What we DON'T need is some rockstar developer trying to make the game his own and forcing different stuff upon it.

I think SC had the perfect setting, great lvls, superb balance, unique races, unlimited options, style etc. etc. I played alot of WC3, but in the end it was all micro management. SC is a perfect blend of macro- and micro-management. I have never played another RTS like it. The battles can go on and on and nobody can tell the winner until the end - its was the ultimate adrenaline rush for me.

They just need to improve the graphics, make some more single player levels, and add a ladder system like WC3. That would make the game popular again. That whould make Korea happy.

[Xerxes]

Could be interesting. WC3 is like the only RTS for me. I suck against people but I liked the story and mission of sorts.

[michaelwhite]

If it remains dark and gritty, it's all good with me.

[XenonCJ]

But what I really wanted wasn't Starcraft II... What I wanted was Universe of Starcraft.I'm thinking it's Worlds of StarCraft.....

Gotta throw in that brand name reconition...

Plus "WoS" is pronounceable...

[Demo_Boy]

I don't think it is Starcraft.

Maybe it is: Warcraft 4 where players from WOW are your minions. You can order them to do what you want, but they still have free will. Like Savage, but with player characters imported from WOW

[Mr. Crowley]

I hope this is true.

I hope they don't screw it up.

[Royal Fool]

They've been working on it for a looooong time.

[Buddha Lotus]

I think .. Im sick of Blizzard toying with us about a new title.

[Returner]

I think .. Im sick of Blizzard toying with us about a new title.

I think I'm just plain sick of Blizzard. Yeah I said it. :mad:

[dark_inchworm]

I'm thinking it's Worlds of StarCraft.....

Gotta throw in that brand name reconition...

Plus "WoS" is pronounceable...

If they did, in fact, do a Starcraft MMORPG, I'm curious how it would work. The Terran and Protoss might come out fine in a WoW-style world, but I don't see Hydralisk Rogues and Priests slithering around Zerg towns taking up quest after quest.

[CannibalKid]

Fiction can be fun, but i prefer the reference section. Where does it say that they're looking for a Level Designer for anything more than WC3 maps? I read the job posting, and they want Warcraft map editor experience. Blizzard also release 1st party maps on a fairly regular basis, often times for holidays and whatnot. There is nothing here but speculation.

[Freak705]

Fiction can be fun, but i prefer the reference section. Where does it say that they're looking for a Level Designer for anything more than WC3 maps? I read the job posting, and they want Warcraft map editor experience. Blizzard also release 1st party maps on a fairly regular basis, often times for holidays and whatnot. There is nothing here but speculation.Anything that can somehow relate to the possibility of SC2, we SC fans will jump on. We're a desparate lot.

[GrinR]

By the way...

GamEspot reported this, not gamspot.

[Lizard Dude]

It's going to be like playing a Mario game that Miyamoto didn't make

I found Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins to be quite fun, thank you.

[Freak705]

I found Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins to be quite fun, thank you. :eek: That game was awesome!

[Arphahat]

As is required when a reference to a sequel from Blizzard is speculated upon, here is the comment that mentions Diablo III:

I'd prefer they release Diablo III!

[Liquidize105]

People've been speculating about SC2 for years.

This is what's going on:

It's been in internal development for a long while now but hasn't been announced. The reason is simple - It's inferior to Starcraft. The company dug it's own hole by setting the bar too high, and in the last decade or so bled away the people who made SC great.

[Voodoo]

It's been in internal development for a long while now but hasn't been announced. The reason is simple - It's inferior to Starcraft. The company dug it's own hole by setting the bar too high, and in the last decade or so bled away the people who made SC great.
I absolutely disagree. I'm hoping they make a SC2 without having to use so much from Warhammer this time. LOL! o.O And now with Dawn of War out, it would be hard to say with all seriousness that StarCraft is a total IP. And furthermore, they do not need the original staff to make a great StarCraft, that is a terrible way of thinking.

I thought this was of particular interest... http://www.starcraft2.com/

[Vanthar]

Blizzard probably just doesn't want to release SC2 because they still don't have enough battle.net servers for all their old games and WoW. Can you imagine how raped their servers will be will be with WoW AND SC2 :P

[CapnBob]

You forgot the hedonistic Protoss alter society.

No, not really... Those are likely on the verge of going the way of the squats with the latest tabletop updates.

[jwbxx]

I think one could attack the whole SC2 delay from multiple points.

Most of the team who made SC have left blizzard some time ago.

Blizzard wants SC2 to be 3d, but blizzard has a standard of making it so that anyone with a apple 286 can play their games, so having 8 players with fully 3d units, and with a unit cap of 200 would pretty much destroy every low end machine.

Blizzard wanted to develop its other franchises, before taking another shot at sc2 to bring in more revenue streams, because once sc2 comes out, WOW? WC3? What are those games?

Hopefully this game will have a huge unit cap like sc2, because if it has the small unit cap like in wc3 it won't feel like a real battle in sc fashion. More of a small skirmish.

If sc2 had the feel of DOW I would be pretty happy, gritty, and lack of over powering hero units.

But odds are they arent making SC2, and they are yanking our chains again, damn you blizzard, damn you! (Has been searching the internet for the past 8 years for sc2 info)

[Liquidize105]

I don't think the warhammer influence is that relevent to its success.

Bottomline, Starcraft has great characterization, in a RTS, in 1998! As for the multiplayer, well, that's also an unprecedented feat - 3 unique sides, balanced, quick games, intense large-scale battle... It's lightning caught in a bottle.

[OrangePulp]

Blizzard wanted to develop its other franchises, before taking another shot at sc2 to bring in more revenue streams, because once sc2 comes out, WOW? WC3? What are those games?

If SC2 came out, I'm sure people would stop playing WC3, but it won't change anything for WoW.

I'm sure that Blizzard is going to make SC2 at some point, not because of any kind of desire I have (although I do hope it will be good), but because of the fact that they stand to make tons of money when they do release it. What company would pass up that chance?

[XenonCJ]

Need to have Worlds of StarCraft out there just to take the load off the WoW team...

[jwbxx]

I don't think the warhammer influence is that relevent to its success.

True, I'm a DOW fanboy and SC fanboy I just think that every RTS should take something from those games.

[Draft]

People've been speculating about SC2 for years.

This is what's going on:

It's been in internal development for a long while now but hasn't been announced. The reason is simple - It's inferior to Starcraft. The company dug it's own hole by setting the bar too high, and in the last decade or so bled away the people who made SC great.Gee, why'd anyone bother speculating when you knew all along?

[Liquidize105]

You're GrinR minus the funny, and x10 the antagonism.

Fight the power Draft! :D

[Bargash]

Stieg Hedlund isn't in the credits for Starcraft or Starcraft: Broodwar. He was however the sole designer of Diablo 2. Chris Metzen and James Phinney were the Lead Designers for Starcraft and Rob Pardo was the Lead Designer for Starcraft: Broodwar(and WC3/WoW)
Here's a better analogy:

The lead designer of Pokemon has left Nintendo so Super Mario Galaxies is fucked.. Doesn't make much sense to me.

From Moby Games:
http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/starcraft/credits
http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/starcraft-brood-war/credits
http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/diablo-ii/credits

[Draft]

You're GrinR minus the funny, and x10 the antagonism.

Fight the power Draft! :Dk.

sdfasdfsdfsadfsdafsdaf

[Goronmon]

SC2 will only achieve greatness if someone has the balls to make it into a new game. The original was too well balanced, too well made, and too old to consider just marginal improvements.

[HelpMeee]

A Starcraft sequel would be neat, I guess, but how good is it going to be with Stieg Hedlund not working for Blizzard anymore? It's going to be like playing a Mario game that Miyamoto didn't make, or a MGS game that Hideo Kojima didn't make.

Either:

A) You are Stieg Hedlund.
B) You are a friend of Stieg Hedlund's.
C) You are practiced in the ways of ass-talking.
D) All of the above.

[Mav]

PLEASE, MAKE STARCRAFT 2 :(

I don't care if it takes as long as Duke Nukem Forevre, we need a sequel to the greatest RTS of all mother fucking time! God I miss the days of logging into Battlenet in 1998 on dialup trying to play 4v4's with 6 red bars of lag, man those were really great games.

[Wyrm]

Starcraft MMORPG = earth owned.

Although they'll probably keep WoW as the mmorpg and make Starcraft II somekind of massively multiplayer online RTS game.

If they did it like Shattered Galaxy with a Blizzard log on it, I'd buy like 8 copies.

[XenonCJ]

Actually they need to make a Diablo RTS game, then a StarCraft isometric adventure game like Diablo, then I need to goto Wal-Mart, buy a shotgun and blow my head off.

[Verocity]

Blizzard has to release their games in controlled doses as too much crack will cause anyone to OD.

[MoJoBehaumat]

There is no way to count how many hours of my life that I lost thanks to Starcraft.
Truly though, Blizzard can take as long as they want, they have the blueprints for making an amazing sequal.
Just dont fuck it up Blizzard, or...or...
You will kill your ace in the hole

[The Letter 3]

I'm sure that Blizzard is going to make SC2 at some point, not because of any kind of desire I have (although I do hope it will be good), but because of the fact that they stand to make tons of money when they do release it. What company would pass up that chance?
And that is the one reason why I hope that an inevitable (I do believe that) SC2 can be a good game. It's been eight years and Blizzard hasn't tried to cash in on one of the biggest ever PC games. Given the other work they've done, the company obviously isn't run by idiots. They are just building anticipation, letting our wallets strain against their seams. Goddamn they've done a good job of that, but if they wait much longer, their core base of fans will be too old and arthritic to play!

[Qoz]

Like Liq said, SC is a damn miracle (ligtning in a bottle). A sequel to a great thing often reveal how the developers/musicians/directors had no clue as what made the original special - it was pure luck. SC is not a normal game. It has manintained interest which very few games can do.

SC2 will make tons of money if they get the magic right. It would be foolish not to try (and I think they already tried and are trying), but it is wise to not release the game if it is mediocre. If this happens they will suck up all the WC3 and SC players, who will then leave when they find out how the game sucks. If they get it right everyone in Korea will report in sick for 2 weeks..

[Housemixer]

I think it's something like Warcraft IV. That would make more sense since WoW has such a wide audience and the Warcraft brand is pretty strong.
Also it would make it possible to link WC IV to some world event in WoW.
From a pure marketing perspective it is alot smarter to make something with the Warcraft brand.

[Chameleo]

There is no way to count how many hours of my life that I lost thanks to Starcraft.
Truly though, Blizzard can take as long as they want, they have the blueprints for making an amazing sequal.
Just dont fuck it up Blizzard, or...or...
You will kill your ace in the hole

wasn't their ace in the hole WoW?

[bean19]

Here's the thing about Blizzard - they've lost most of the people that made their games as excellent as they were - like the designer of Diablo, Diablo 2, and Starcraft (Stieg Hedlund - who I've already mentioned). Their remaining incredibly talented staff are probably in key positions with WoW.

So I'm worried. . . but not very. Blizzard has shown that they'll completely eat a project if they are not satisfied with the results of it (Starcraft: Ghosts).

However, Starcraft was genius. I think that they'd be smart to simply to keep the same gameplay, go 3D, and add some new story missions.

[Goronmon]

However, Starcraft was genius. I think that they'd be smart to simply to keep the same gameplay, go 3D, and add some new story missions.That wouldn't be SC2, that would be SC:Redo.

There's a a difference between a sequel and a graphical update for an old game.

I for one would rather have a sequel.

[AniAko]

That wouldn't be SC2, that would be SC:Redo.

There's a a difference between a sequel and a graphical update for an old game.

I for one would rather have a sequel.

Sequels don't have to be radically different. In some cases, enough differences can make a title turn out totally fucked up. (Take the Lawnmowerman and the Lawnmowerman 2 movies)

If I gave you warcraft 4, and it played like Battle Realms, I doubt anyone would think it was worthy of its title. We have every right to demand that any starcraft title FEELS like we're playing starcraft. Give us all the new stuff you want, but build on the foundation the game was made great upon.

[MoJoBehaumat]

wasn't their ace in the hole WoW?

Yea I consider Wow more like their work horse. Plus I personally liked Starcaft compared to the likes of Warcraft or Diablo.

Plus Blizzard knows better than make a new Starcraft with just a graphical pizzaz and no new story. The story was the thing that helped push the game into the ranks along with the other Great games. Story is essintial! ;)

[XenonCJ]

wasn't their ace in the hole WoW?people have lots of holes...

[MoJoBehaumat]

people have lots of holes...
haha :p
Blizzard better bring back all three races. Plus with Karrigan(sp?) they should do something along the lines of blurring the lines and allow DNA swapping. Making a Zerg/Protos hybird. Think of the possabilities :D

[Qoz]

The story was the thing that helped push the game into the ranks along with the other Great games. Story is essintial!
The story was good, but other features were way more important. There are many games with good stories that never amount to anything - in a multiplayer RTS some important thing are cool units, balance, style and strategic options. The story doesn't really matter to me.

[MoJoBehaumat]

The story was good, but other features were way more important. There are many games with good stories that never amount to anything - in a multiplayer RTS some important thing are cool units, balance, style and strategic options. The story doesn't really matter to me.
What? Your lieing to yourself. :p

Balance and style should be a no brainer. Cool Units will help but what I really want is a slight spore/starcraft mix. :)

[Busted_Astromech]

No, not really... Those are likely on the verge of going the way of the squats with the latest tabletop updates.
Oh. Well, I haven't followed the game for a few years.

Rhinos cost how much now?!