As expected, at Blizzard‘s World Wide Invitational in South Korea, they announced StarCraft 2 as a 3D RTS. Here’s what you’ve been waiting for, the cinematic StarCraft 2 trailer:
Present in Korea was 1UP and they report that Blizzard is making the following StarCraft 2 promises:
* Races will be further distinguished from one another through new gameplay mechanics and new units.
* Some of the original units will also be receiving new abilities, but it is unclear which ones are included at present.
* Uses a 3D engine that “realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies [of over a 100 units] on-screen simultaneously.”
* The map editor is returning.
* There will be both a single player and multiplayer version of the game.
* It will be released for both the Mac and PC.
* No release date currently exists.
Want more? Some gameplay footage? You got it!
Click on the bottom-right corner arrow to view it full-screen.
The above gameplay footage continues here:
“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 2 artwork is also shown at Gametrailers. As for descriptions of the units you’re seeing in the gameplay videos, take a look at IGN for explanations. More will be announced in the months ahead. Now I’m off, I’m all thirsty for some Nuke Cola.
Update: Once the game is out, be sure to check out our StarCraft 2 walkthrough.