Blizzard announces StarCraft II for Mac
updated 09:15 am EDT, Mon May 21, 2007
StarCraft II for Mac
Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled StarCraft II, the sequel to its award-winning real-time strategy game StarCraft, at the 2007 Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event in Seoul, South Korea. Blizzard said it is developing StarCraft II for simultaneous release on the Windows and Mac platforms. The announcement took place inside the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, where the company demonstrated StarCraft II cinematic trailer along with gameplay in front of thousands of attendees. StarCraft II will feature the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races, overhauled and re-imagined with Blizzard's signature approach to game balance. Each race will be further distinguished from the others, with several new units and new gameplay mechanics, as well as new abilities for some of the classic StarCraft units that will be making a reappearance in the game.
StarCraft II will also feature a custom 3D-graphics engine with realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously.
"With StarCraft II, we'll be able to do everything we wanted to do with the original StarCraft and more," stated Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We recognize that expectations are high following the long-running popularity of the original game, but we plan to meet those expectations and deliver an engaging, action-packed, competitive experience that StarCraft players and strategy gamers worldwide will enjoy."
StarCraft II will include a unique single-player campaign, as well as online play through an upgraded version of Blizzard's Battle.net online gaming service. In addition, the game will include a full-featured map editor based on the same tools used by Blizzard's designers.
The company did not provide a release date: "at this point, it's too early to provide an initial estimate on the release date. As with all Blizzard games, we will take as much time as needed to ensure the game is as fun, balanced, and polished as possible."
w00t
05/21, 11:22am reply
I loved the original; can't wait to play SC2. But we've heard the "planned for simultaneous release" bit before...
No whammies, no whammies!
wonderllama
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2007
re: w00t
05/21, 11:36am reply
I still play StarCraft to this day more than any other game. Well you can tell I'm not a big gamer, but I'll be jumping on to SC2 as soon as it's released.
koolkid1976
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2003
Diablo 3
05/21, 12:34pm reply
Starcraft is a good game. However, I have been waiting for Diablo 3 forever. This only means I will have to wait longer, as Blizzard is not going to release two games at once. That stinks.
Terrin
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Joined: Jan 2006
As long as it has...
05/21, 01:02pm reply
The Carrier. That unit had the coolest looks, sound and clicking acknowledgement.
I still sometimes install this game, just to hear that unit getting produced!
CARRIER HAS ARRIVED!
urzsite
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Starcraft
05/21, 01:13pm reply
Has been the only really enjoyable game for me since the Marathon series, and still play it more than any other game. (Yes, I realize they're in different genres, but still...). I await its unveiling in anxious anticipation.
gorbag
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2001
simultaneous release
05/21, 01:28pm reply
w00t,
what do you mean by "But we've heard the "planned for simultaneous release" bit before...". Blizzard has always had simultaneous releases of all their titles. In fact they are one of the few companies that ship both the Mac and PC version in the same box. If Blizzard say "simultaneous release" you can bet on it. Mac's have never been treated like second class citizens by Blizzard, always have show much respect for Mac.
dozx
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2005
re w00t
05/21, 01:58pm reply
He's referring to (I'm guessing) Starcraft and Diablo.
I wouldn't worry about it. Warcraft 3 was simultaneously released, and I expect they'll use a similar engine for SC2. Very exciting... now lets get some system requirements!
poulh
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2000
heard it before
05/21, 04:18pm reply
...and Halo. I wasn't specifically referring to Blizzard with that reference. Bungie bent us over with Halo. And remember the Mac port of Half Life?
Blizzard rocks and I appreciate their commitment to the Mac platform.
wonderllama
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2007
re:heard it before
05/21, 09:20pm reply
Bungie didn't bend us over. Bungie under Microsoft control did. What did you expect? Mac was first class citizen to Bungie. Heck, PC didn't even get Marathon Infinity.
koolkid1976
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2003
saw it on saturday
05/22, 07:39am reply
I kept refreshing the starcraft2 site to see the annoucements at the first time :P anyway now I am hoping for the Halo3 mac version announcement
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hannaheloise
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Joined: May 2007