Blizzard announces StarCraft II

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World rejoices at thought of renewed civilization-destroying intergalactic genocide

There is no release date yet, but after a mere nine-year wait, publisher Blizzard has given the world its first glimpse at StarCraft II, the sequel to one of the most popular real-time strategy games of all time. Before a crowd of rabid Korean fans packed into an Olympic stadium, Blizzard showed first a short CG trailer. It begins with a Terran (i.e.: human) marine being encased in heavy battle armor, followed by a flashing series of images showing units from the bug- like Zerg and cybernetic space-monks, the Protoss - and also human hottie turned insectoid Queen Bitch of the Universe, Kerrigan. The trailer concludes with a computer voice instructing all marines to prepare for launch, and the marine saying “Hell, it's about time.” (Get it?) We get our first look at the logo.

Lead designer Dustin Browder then took the stage to guide us through 20 minutes of actual gameplay footage from the in-development alpha version of the game - with the obvious caveat that nothing shown here was final. The engine looks gorgeous, and recreates the famous units in levels of detail that, until now, existed only in the minds of the fans. The demo began with Protoss units being dropped onto a space platform map. Familiar Zealot infantry (complete with psionic blades and personal shields) were the first on the ground, and showed off their new ability to charge enemies by decimating a group of Terran marines.

Eric Bratcher
Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.