Blizzard Entertainment premiered the latest version of its upcoming tactical-action console game, StarCraft: Ghost, at the company's first-ever gaming convention, BlizzCon. The developer also released a Q&A about the game in an attempt to further inform fans about the game's progress. Show attendees saw the most recent updates to the game's single-player campaign and were given an exclusive look at the newly designed multiplayer scenario called Invasion. Also unveiled at BlizzCon were four new playable Zerg units for StarCraft: Ghost multiplayer games: the Zergling, Hydralisk, Infested Marine, and Mutalisk.
Over the past few months we've focused on further developing StarCraft: Ghost's single-player campaign while also expanding the game's multiplayer features, stated Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. BlizzCon attendees will be the first to see everything we've added, and we're excited to hear their thoughts on all of the new content.
New to StarCraft: Ghost at BlizzCon are even bigger multiplayer battles, as the game now allows up to 16 players to each take on the role of one of eight different playable units and operate a number of powerful vehicles from the StarCraft universe. In the new Invasion scenario, players seize strategic points on a map to gain access to valuable resources, which in turn help them destroy their enemy's base and win the game. Upon release, StarCraft: Ghost will support multiplayer matches for Xbox players on Xbox Live and for Playstation 2 owners over Battle.net, allowing gamers from around the world to compete in multiple settings from the StarCraft universe.
StarCraft: Ghost will feature highly stylized character models, over-the-top special effects, and immersive 3D environments that reward creative exploration. The game's deeply evolving story line and unique blend of stealth and action-based gameplay will take full advantage of Blizzard's StarCraft universe and refine the epic experience to the level of the individual soldier. The game is currently scheduled for release in 2006 for Xbox and Playstation 2.
Q&A
What is StarCraft: Ghost?
StarCraft: Ghost is a tactical-action console game set in the StarCraft® universe.
How will StarCraft: Ghost be different from other tactical-action console games?
StarCraft: Ghost will be different from other tactical-action games in many ways. As the game's hero, elite Ghost operative Nova, players will be able to:
Utilize a Wide Range of Elite Ghost Abilities
- Outmaneuver your enemies at sonic speed
- Infiltrate bases and sneak past guards using the cloak ability
- Utilize powerful psionic abilities
- Lock down vehicles and electronic devices to immobilize them
- Engage in both face-to-face firefights and planet-scale warfare
Leverage the Resources of an Entire Army
- Take control of familiar StarCraft vehicles, such as the Siege Tank and Vulture
- Wield a variety of weapons, such as the Perdition Flamethrower, Gauss Rifle, Torrent Shotgun, and a variety of explosives
- Join your allies in battle and do your part to ensure mission success
Experience the StarCraft Universe in 3D
- See the world of StarCraft on a personal level
- Visit familiar planets from the StarCraft universe
- Explore 3D environments designed for strategic interaction
- As Nova, players will be able to hang from wires, climb poles and scale walls, and negotiate tightropes
Unveil the Next Chapter in the StarCraft Saga
- Experience story-driven missions complete with plot twists
- Play a crucial role in the rich StarCraft history
- Engage in combat with a variety of fully rendered characters from the StarCraft universe, including well-known units from the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss races
What new features have been added since the Blizzard console team took over the development of StarCraft: Ghost?
The goal of Blizzard's console team has been to expand and evolve the strong foundation already established for StarCraft: Ghost. The majority of this work involves making changes to the graphics engine, incorporating a number of characters, weapons, and vehicles, and designing and implementing StarCraft: Ghost's new single-player and multiplayer features.
What can we expect to see from StarCraft: Ghost at BlizzCon?
BlizzCon will offer the first opportunity for the public to see StarCraft: Ghost in its current form, with the latest single-player and multiplayer features implemented. In particular, multiplayer has been expanded to now accommodate up to 16 players over Xbox Live and Battle.net. Also, gamers will be able to control newly playable Zerg multiplayer units and experience the newly unveiled "Invasion" multiplayer scenario. The new single-player level that players will be able to see takes place on the lava-scorched planet of Abaddon, which has never been seen by the public prior to BlizzCon.
How many players will StarCraft: Ghost support?
StarCraft: Ghost will accommodate up to 16 players on Xbox Live for Xbox owners and Battle.net for PlayStation 2 players.
How long will the StarCraft: Ghost single-player experience last?
Development of the single-player missions has not been finished yet, but we plan to create approximately 12-15 hours of single-player content.
When will StarCraft: Ghost be released?
A: While we have not yet announced a street date for StarCraft: Ghost, we anticipate that the game will be complete in 2006. However, as with all of our games, we will not release StarCraft: Ghost until it meets the high standards that our development teams and our fans demand.
On what platforms will StarCraft: Ghost be available?
StarCraft: Ghost will be available on the Xbox and PlayStation 2.
What rating do you expect for StarCraft: Ghost?
With StarCraft: Ghost still in development, it's too early to determine what ESRB rating it will receive. Right now, we're wholly focused on making StarCraft: Ghost into a Blizzard-quality console game, and we will have a better idea of what rating it will receive as we get closer to release.
Who is developing StarCraft: Ghost?
StarCraft: Ghost is being created by Blizzard's console development team.
Why did Blizzard enter the console arena?
We began our early development efforts in console gaming, and we have always been excited about returning to this arena. Additionally, we've wanted to revisit the StarCraft universe for some time. With StarCraft: Ghost, we are able to do both. Also, due to the game's control interface and tactical-action nature, developing this title for the console systems makes the most sense. In addition to expanding StarCraft's rich storyline, the game gives players a chance to experience the sci-fi universe from an all-new perspective.
Will there be a PC and Mac version?
No. StarCraft: Ghost is being developed for console systems only.
How many copies of StarCraft have been sold?
To date, the StarCraft franchise has shipped over 9 million copies.