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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsWorld of Starcraft information leaked
by Krystalle Voecks 
May 5th 2007 at 4:42PM
PC Gamer's online portal, Computerandvideogames.com (CVG) has reported that they have insider information confirming what the gaming world has suspected for some time. CVG states that it is indeed a StarCraft MMO currently in the works at Blizzard and not another chapter in the StarCraft RTS series. According to their article, the new StarCraft MMO will be announced at the upcoming Blizzard event slated for May 19th in South Korea. While I'm thrilled that there is another StarCraft in the pipes, I'm more than a bit curious about how Blizzard are going to be able to translate StarCraft's universe to an MMO. Will you be able to play as Protoss, Zerg, and Terran? Or will the Zerg become the new Scourge -- NPC's for Protoss and Terran players to battle against? Another question to my mind would be about the number of worlds in the StarCraft universe. Will you start on the home planet of your race and then as you gain levels, move to others? How is Blizzard planning on addressing the platform battles in space? Will they add in the option for in-space skirmishes (somewhat like EVE Online) which help to decide who controls different platforms and sectors of space as opposed to it all being land-battles? Or will you just board shuttles (teleport) from planet to platform to planet without ever actually spending much time in space?
For that matter, I suppose that all depends on where in the storyline it picks up. Would it be early in the storyline before Jim Raynor and Tassadar join forces to take out the Overmind? Or we are looking at a point after when the United Earth Directorate comes to take control of the Zerg, only to be destroyed by Kerrigan who has taken over the Broods and is leading the Zerg? Perhaps, like World of Warcraft, it will be after a massive defeat of the enemy (Zerg?) -- with another "tense peace" like the one that currently (supposedly) exists between the Alliance and the Horde.
Obviously, this leaves us with a lot of questions, and not a lot of answers. I suppose we'll all have to wait (and wonder) until the 19th when Blizzard confirms (or disproves) the leaked information that is currently being reported.
[via Tim & CVG]
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Savok May 5th 2007 11:28PM
All Starcraft and EVE have in common is that they're both science fiction
X May 6th 2007 12:36AM
"A lot of shortsighted people in this thread are a bit quick to call Blizzard "morons."
I suppose they think it would be better for Blizzard to rest on its laurels and let another company take all of their subscribers with a better game. It's better for them to compete against themselves with a new game than to let someone else do it.
Furthermore, Starcraft is a SCI-FI genre. It will appeal to an entire segement that at the moment is not interested in playing elves and wizards. What's more for people who like both genres, blizzard can offer multiple game pacakges. Play WoW and WoS for $20.00/mo. etc. This is not unheard of. More money is more money.
A good game is a good game that people will pay for. The idea that somehow if WoS is a huge success, that it would loose Blizzard money, is totally off base and shows a total lack of business understanding. If anything, they widen their demographic and get people hooked on 2 games at an additional level of incremental revenue, or retain their monthly subs longer than if they just sat on their hands waiting for someone else to steal their subs.
Grow a brain people."
Quoted for Truthery!
I was just about too bitch at those people myself there seriously fucking stupid.
As much as i want a starcraft 2 also, i'm not stupid enough or foolish enough to try and justify it like those idiots by thinking stupid shit like that.
Cathara May 6th 2007 10:57AM
MMO-RTS (the name escapes me, but SOE tried to do one, never got released.)
G May 6th 2007 1:30AM
I hope they do offer a discounted monthly price for both, if this is true. I like WoW and sci-fi equally. A true sci-fi game on the WoW engine could rock. At the same time, I'm not about to give up on my Azerothian 70's.
Nyx May 6th 2007 1:33AM
Can we have a Diablo MMO yet?
Matt Rossi May 6th 2007 1:40AM
MMO merely means massively multiplayer online. There's no reason to assume that this will be an RPG before we see an announcement: it could just be a fully online, massively multiplayer RTS.
UncleChuckle May 6th 2007 2:39AM
"StarCraft's lore needs to be expanded a lot before they work on an MMO"
Bollocks does it. Not ONE PERSON in my former guild gives a damn about the lore in WOW. I remember bumping into a big name from the lore (I can't remember who now) and going "That's so cool!" and was met with "Huh? Why?"
Only a very small percentage of players actually give a crap about that stuff. If you think the lore is important to the masses, you're deluding yourself.
meh May 6th 2007 10:30AM
People are worried about how Starcraft will translate into a MMORPG?? Are you serious? People said the same garbage about Warcraft and how it was not going to translate well into a MMORPG. Pull your heads out of you know where....
Ye of little vision.
max.korovesis May 6th 2007 11:00AM
If this "world of starcraft" is indeed in the works, I think blizzard may be getting a bit ahead of themselves here. WoW still has huge momentum and there remains lots of money to be made with further expansions. I think the fans would much rather see a Starcraft 2 than another MMO. However, at the speed blizzard works, it could be another 10 years before "WoS" is released :). Personally, I would not play a starcraft MMO.
golffuul May 6th 2007 11:47AM
Umm...folks...you are forgetting the one secret ingredient of why Blizzard doesn't care if it has 2 MMO's running.
THE MONEY GOES TO THE SAME PLACE!!
That's why they wouldn't care if they lost a little bit of membership (especially ones who were probably thinking of de-activating their accounts soon) from WoW to start to gain control of the sci-fi sector of the gamers and probably end up with a 50% increase, or more, in subscribership. I applaud them for doing this. To me, it's the next logical step in dominating the gaming market even more. This guarantees longevity for the future for blizzard, without having to expend too much energy. Especially, since they already have the code for a large population server base and database scheme for weapons and stuff. The trick will be how they handle ship combat (Can anyone say "flying mounts?). Blizzard is nothing if not extremely savvy. I would not be surprised if they had expansions continuing with WoW, while they release Starcraft MMO. It's all about holding the gamer's attention long enough to keep the money flowing in, and blizzard has obviously figured out how to do that better than anyone else.
/taps arm to get a vein to come to the surface
NEED MORE BLIZZARD CRACK!!!!
Baluki May 6th 2007 11:38AM
Pure BS. Blizzard isn't going to release a game that's going to DIRECTLY COMPETE with their current flagship product. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a Starcraft MMOG 10 or so years down the line, but not right now. WOW is as big as it's ever been, and they plan to make at least a few more expansions before they're done.
I'm sure their next game announcement will be a Starcraft game, but it'll be a Starcraft RTS. That's what the world is clammoring for (especially in Asia) and an RTS isn't going to suck business away from WoW (though people may play WoW less frequently for a bit).
Beaverius May 6th 2007 1:30PM
Ugh, I really, really hope it's not another MMO. At least not now. Why do they want to stretch not only themselves thin, but also the market?
Not that I think an SC mmo would be bad at all, but the timing just isn't right.
Anti-You May 6th 2007 2:34PM
This is fake, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a communist. :p
No, seriously. I doubt the reality of this story. It looks like someone trying to stoke up the fans. That's REALLY low, if you ask me.
sgashby May 6th 2007 5:09PM
#20: "All Starcraft and EVE have in common is that they're both science fiction"
It's like saying five or six years ago (or longer?) when WoW was first announced that "All Warcraft (the single player game) and Everquest have in common is that they're both fantasy."
Starcraft in an EVE sort of environment WILL work, especially if there is planetside content as well.
Mikel May 6th 2007 7:39PM
Another note for all the "WOW is at its PEak" type people.
Blizzard announced WOW... something like 6 years before it actually came out. If they announced it right now, they would probably give the release date as something like 2010-2012. Think about the first WOW expansion. Even that took a year and a half, and that was just hooking some more content to an already built game.
If Bliz does release a WOS, I would expect it to pretty much blow our minds with content, and break all the milestones they set with WOW.
How will they handle space? etc etc.
If they do release it, they will tell us, and we will all sit here with our jaws on the floor going "Ohh my god, I can not wait for this game..."
Just my opinion :)
daniel May 7th 2007 3:34AM
so is it gonna be 5000g for a battle cruiser or what?
Bast May 7th 2007 6:52AM
http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/
Job Update 4/26/07
New Position - Lead Engine Programmer – Next-Gen MMO
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for an individual to lead an engine-programming team focused on next-generation massively multiplayer online games. The ideal candidate will possess outstanding communication and coordination skills and be capable of leading a team of programmers in the design and creation of a next-generation engine. This team is responsible for developing and overseeing all engine-related features and technologies. Blizzard offers a fun, creative, and technically challenging environment with excellent compensation and a full range of benefits. Please check out our Lead Engine Programmer – Next-Gen MMO posting for more information.
New Position – Lead Tools Programmer – Next-Gen MMO
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for an individual to lead a tools programming team focused on next-generation massively multiplayer online games. The ideal applicant will possess outstanding communication and coordination skills and be capable of leading a team of programmers in the design and creation of a suite of powerful support tools for all disciplines, including art, design, programming, audio, and customer service. Blizzard offers a fun, creative, and technically challenging environment with excellent compensation and a full range of benefits. Please check our Lead Tools Programmer – Next-Gen MMO position for more information.
New Position - Lead Technical Artist – Next-Gen MMO
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for an individual to serve as Lead Technical Artist for a team focused on next-generation massively multiplayer online games. The ideal candidate feels comfortable in a team environment and is able to contribute on many levels (modeling, texturing, special FX, etc.) and act as a liaison between the artists and programmers. This candidate would be a highly motivated and very sharp artist who has experience using Scripts to solve technical problems. The candidate must also be able to research and implement new art techniques and tools into the production pipeline. Blizzard offers a fun, creative, and technically challenging environment with excellent compensation and a full range of benefits. Please check our Lead Technical Artist – Next-Gen MMO job listing for more information.
Need anymore proof?
Eldiablohijo May 7th 2007 9:34AM
Yes Blizzard is hiring a lot of Next Gen MMO Programmers. That doesn't mean what is going to be announced on May 19th is going to have ANYTHING to do with who they are hiring for. Did you think about mabey Blizzard is trying to hire some special programmers for their new WoW Expansion.
Blizzard isn't a dumb company, if they have something planed they most likely already have the majority of the development team started on it. So i'd be more likely to say that the Job postings are more related to news we will hear at BlizzCon 2007 related to a new WoW expansion.
Now lets look at some other facts, this announcement is being made in Korea, the one part of the world where the orginal Starcraft is still huge, and by huge I mean huge. They have starcraft tournaments in Stadiums with thousands upon thousands of people going there to watch or compete.
This is why i'm leaning towards it being an RTS or possibly something completly different. I don't think it would be an MMO, it would be like Blizzard sticking a thorn in the side of all the people who still remain loyal to the orginal starcraft.
Will there be a Starcraft MMO in the future? Most likely, will it be announced on May 19th this year? I wouldn't put money on it.
Just remember all the rumors that went around before Burning Crusade was released, people didn't know what it was going to involve. Blizzard feeds off this rumor mill and it just provides more interest in their games. But I wouldn't take anything released before their actual announcement as "factual".
Maeghane May 7th 2007 1:04PM
To all the people who said Blizzard is stupid, morons etc.. Are you crazy, the most successful MMORG in history is enough cred for them to do as they please. As for game companies go, Blizzard constantly puts out the best products and the best produced material I have ever seen. I have played other MMORGs and this is by far the best.
Take into consideration this, not everyone is a fan of the "fantasy" genre of WoW, my girlfriend, a staunch sci-fi fan does not like wow cause it is fantasy based. She has said however she would play a Starcraft based MMORG. Not everyone loves fantasy based games and the sci-fi based mmorgs are the suck. Blizzard would make a briliant move in creating a MMORG base off star craft and not have to expand thier work force much. The programming behind the game would be the same, Just different graphics. Look around the WoW, how many items, characters and mobs do you see that could with tiny twinks be zerg, protoss or terrains, hhmm...
Blizzard would capture expand and capture a new market with both products, like they already did with the RTS games.
Dogg111 May 18th 2007 6:15AM
It would definately be an FPS MMO like planetside and WWII online. That woild be the only thing that would make sense for WOS.