StarCraft II Official! (Pictures)

[Anonymous]

Their reputation is at a point where they can suddenly morph into EA and no one will care. Everyone is so completely blinded by the shiny Blizzard logo that it doesn't matter what SC2 will turn out like; it's going to sell, and that's all they care about.

Blizzard is like microsoft or any other company for that matter; feed them, they'll grow fat and pompus, and more hungry.

[The Oracle]

Blizzard won't just release SC2 when they're done, they will time the release to coincide with availability of money for its target audience...the parents of most of the players.

That means either christmas 2008 or tax season 2009.

With climbing gas prices in the US, an economy in general downturn, a devastated mortgage network (eliminating billions in homeowner equity), and continued efforts by companies to outsource jobs overseas, there's just not as much money floating around as there used to be. 

Blizzard will want to be sure that when the game is released, the audience is actually able to buy it.  And $50 + tax is almost a tank of gas these days.

I believe SC2 is much farther along than Blizzard is letting on, they simply don't want this fact known so that they can release the game in accordance with their business model.

[Zilla-]

Conspiracy theory much?

[Jadefang]

Conspiracy theory much?

Conspiracy theories? How about this one:
The game will face a similar fate as did "SC Ghost". In a way the present SC2 is at the same stage of development with demo-videos etc, save that Ghost had a more elaborate lead character. Out of the sudden Blizzard realizes, hey, WOW is like printing money, why bother investing in other projects at all?

Nah, just kidding. I think March 09 we will finally have it.

[Legion]

Conspiracy theory much?

Conspiracy theories? How about this one:
The game will face a similar fate as did "SC Ghost". In a way the present SC2 is at the same stage of development with demo-videos etc, save that Ghost had a more elaborate lead character. Out of the sudden Blizzard realizes, hey, WOW is like printing money, why bother investing in other projects at all?

Nah, just kidding. I think March 09 we will finally have it.

Wow, all those predictions. The only thing we can accuse Blizzard of is getting people's hopes up too high by announcing a game that clearly wasn't ready to be announced. Why announce it if it will take at least a year to finish it after the announcement? Back with SC1 for most people it was like... nothing... and then BAM! STARCRAFT!

It's the same thing, on a much smaller scale, with campaigns. Back in the day, millions of people (myself included) announced "a Blizz quality add-on campaign featuing hi-quality SFX and models and splashscreens and world peace" and then show bits and pieces for a year and in the end cancel the thing. I think that people (such as game developers) need to suppress that 'hee-hee look what I'm up to' feeling to save other people big disappointments.

My prediction: around Christmas this year.

EDIT:

You know what'd be a blast? If they were much further along than they're showing, and would release the thing this summer! Nah, that'll never happen.

[AA7Dragoon]

I'm shooting for a December releease in 2008 or a January release in 2009.  Most likely January, as Blizzard typically misses big holiday release dates to do some last minute touches.

[Lavarinth]

Obviously their target date is in November. November is THE month for game releases, including consoles. The reason being is so people can buy the stuff early FOR Christmas. It's just a well known fact- But I doubt they'll pull through to that deadline.

[Marine]

I'd love them to send us a new update. Been quiet for awhile.
I'm with Lav and shooting mayeb for November.

[WB]

For SC1 they rewrote the game from fucking scratch or so in like, 9 months. Thats because they got a lot of negative feedback for "Warcraft in Space" Alpha SC. I read that somewhere, or I think Merlin told me that a while back.

Also, didn't Diablo miss a pre-xmas release so they could polish it more? And it still sold fucktons of copies.

[Lavarinth]

For SC1 they rewrote the game from fucking scratch or so in like, 9 months. Thats because they got a lot of negative feedback for "Warcraft in Space" Alpha SC. I read that somewhere, or I think Merlin told me that a while back.

Also, didn't Diablo miss a pre-xmas release so they could polish it more? And it still sold fucktons of copies.

Alpha SC was definately WarCraft in Space without a doubt. They even stated they used the engine and the first drafts had the same UI as WC. But for how long that really took, I'm not sure. Nine months seems rather short, considering the graphics were also completely recrafted.

I know Diablo 2 missed a holiday release, as for Diablo 1 I don't know, but I do recall being in 8th grade and my friend complaining that Diablo 2 was delayed again around Christmas. Obviously, that delay turned into an additional six months.

[WB]

I meant Diablo 2, my mistake.

[Lavarinth]

We have a traditional Q&A Batch this time around, in which we were able to add in additional questions from the community! There are still several art changes which prevent new screenshots from being shown, but once we get them out, they will be worth the wait! The development team has also been experimenting with many upgrades for all sides, which we'll also be updating the community on as testing progresses.

---StarCraft II Q&A Batch 38---

1. If the Roach is hit by any spell like "plague" or "psi storm," something that reduces hit points per second, will this be negated by its HP regeneration, or result in fewer hit points gained per second for the duration of the spell? (sclegacy.com)

To clarify, a Roach regenerates at a set rate and Psi Storm does a set amount of damage at intervals in the area of effect. Put that Roach under a Psi Storm in the current build for the full duration and the Roach will have approximately 50% of its original health after the Psi Storm is over. With a new upgrade ability at the Hive which allows the Roach to have an even more increased regeneration rate, the Roach will emerge from a full duration of Psi Storm at approximately 80% of its original health.

2. Will Starcraft 2's heroes showcase new models for each hero, or will SCII follow in SC:BW's footsteps, leaving heros as normal units with improved stats? (starcraft.org)

StarCraft II Heroes will have unique models in game, which will be different than standard units.

3. Will the ranking/experience system that Terran units used to have be available in the Map Editor as on option in Starcraft 2? (starcraft.org)

We will try to have this feature in.

4. Will it be possible to change (cancel, tie up, etc.) alliance during multiplayer game? (starcraftcz.com)

Yes, players will be able to have all the original diplomacy features as the original StarCraft and possibly a few extras in regards to controlling units and spending ally resources.

5. Will StarCraft 2 feature new map tile sets and will any from StarCraft be removed? Reiko.Cry (wgtour.com)

Many of the original map tile sets such as Mar Sara, Char, Shakuras, and Space Platform will be back in StarCraft II, as well as a few additional ones including a new Shattered City tile set.

6. What creature did the Zergling gain the inspiration to evolve into a Baneling from? (starcraft2.com.au)

The idea of the Baneling didnt actually come from a certain creature. In actuality, it started from the need of something to fill the role of a ground-based, area-of-effect, suicide unit. To give added versatility to the Zergling, they had the Baneling evolve from the Zergling at tier 1 in current builds. For a suicide unit, the art team then took that idea and created a creature with huge sacs of volatile liquids, which you can see on the Banelings in StarCraft II screenshots.

7. Can you provide more details on the Reaper's mine ability? How much damage does it do? Is it effective vs. both units and buildings? Is it detectable without stealth detection? What's the cooldown on it? - Solesteeler (teamliquid.net)

The Reapers mines currently do 30 damage plus 30 additional damage to armored units (including buildings). These mines are not stealthed, have a 30 second cooldown period between uses, and are definitely small enough to make focus firing on them very difficult. In the current build, an upgrade is needed to allow the use of mines by Reapers.

8. Are the Zerg Sunken and Spore Colonies capable of moving out of the bounds of creep? Elsoron (battle.net)

Yes, they are able to move and plant themselves outside of the creeps boundary. Keep in mind that all Zerg buildings not in the boundaries of creep will slowly degenerate and eventually die. Creep which moves into an enemy base will also damage enemy buildings at a slow rate as well, allowing for new types of creep pushing strategies in StarCraft II.

9. Will the Map Editor support letters from non-English alphabets (ó, ű, ő, ú, á, é, etc.)? (starcraft2.hu)

Yes, these characters will be supported.


---End of Transmission---

[Thalraxal]

5. Will StarCraft 2 feature new map tile sets and will any from StarCraft be removed? Reiko.Cry (wgtour.com)

Many of the original map tile sets such as Mar Sara, Char, Shakuras, and Space Platform will be back in StarCraft II, as well as a few additional ones including a new Shattered City tile set.

I like the sound of the Shattered City tileset!  I've always liked the idea of battling in a big, ruined city.

8. Are the Zerg Sunken and Spore Colonies capable of moving out of the bounds of creep? Elsoron (battle.net)

Yes, they are able to move and plant themselves outside of the creeps boundary. Keep in mind that all Zerg buildings not in the boundaries of creep will slowly degenerate and eventually die. Creep which moves into an enemy base will also damage enemy buildings at a slow rate as well, allowing for new types of creep pushing strategies in StarCraft II.

Oo!  Sounds like the Terrans aren't the only ones who can burn down now.  I like how Creep is becoming abit more important than it was in SC1.

[omega20]

5. Will StarCraft 2 feature new map tile sets and will any from StarCraft be removed? Reiko.Cry (wgtour.com)

Many of the original map tile sets such as Mar Sara, Char, Shakuras, and Space Platform will be back in StarCraft II, as well as a few additional ones including a new Shattered City tile set.

I like the sound of the Shattered City tileset!  I've always liked the idea of battling in a big, ruined city.

Right. This could be pretty cool!

8. Are the Zerg Sunken and Spore Colonies capable of moving out of the bounds of creep? Elsoron (battle.net)

Yes, they are able to move and plant themselves outside of the creeps boundary. Keep in mind that all Zerg buildings not in the boundaries of creep will slowly degenerate and eventually die. Creep which moves into an enemy base will also damage enemy buildings at a slow rate as well, allowing for new types of creep pushing strategies in StarCraft II.

Oo!  Sounds like the Terrans aren't the only ones who can burn down now.  I like how Creep is becoming abit more important than it was in SC1.

He. The Zerg are becoming more powerful in Starcraft II? This is quite interesting ...

[Ricky_Honejasi]

Something I am wondering something else about SC2 lately ... how many models other than default units there will be?

In WC3, there were many models due to lots of creep creatures so in custom maps so it was reasonably easy to pick the "right" model without adding new models (which usually add considerably to the map size) and such with various potential ideas.

Also, I wonder if it will be possible to port WC3 models into SC2 with minimal hassle ... sometimes just to be able to use a new key trigger that is available in SC2 which isn't WC3 while in a more medieval-like map setting. More it is shiny 3D, the less it's believable to say that your marine is a "knight".

EDIT : Btw Lavarinth, I wonder if it would be a good idea to more or less archive the various Q&A Batches from Blizzard about SC2. Some people including me can easily have lost track of SC2 features were added/confirmed or not by Blizzard.