Starcraft FTW!

Blizzard Entertainment released the first Starcraft (SC) series in 1998. Since then, SC has become known to all computer gamers and industry journalists as one of the most, if not the most, popular real-time strategy games of all time. In addition, SC has been praised many times as the game that set the standards for development of real-time strategy games. So, what makes this game so popular?

I have not played SC for a few years now, but during my teenage years I was a very big fan of the game (VERY BIG). In my personal opinion what made SC more successful compared to other real-time strategy games were the three unique races that players could choose from being Terran, Protoss, or Zerg (ZERG FTW!). PLUS between each race there was a very well tuned and refined ***GAME PLAY BALANCE*** that existed amongst these races. Through this formula Blizzard Entertainments was able to create a very dynamic gaming environment for players while also ensuring that no race was too overpowered or underpowered. The idea is that players can become very good at the game but because of the gaming dynamics, Starcraft remains "unmasterable". As a bonus, the overall story that revolves around the three races individually and as a group has been praised by many as being one of the most compelling for a real-time strategy game. I mean, what other real-time strategy game can you think of that has not been updated for about 10 years and is still being played by thousands of people? In fact, there are still huge SC gaming events and competitions held in South Korea, which are also broadcasted to television (LUCKY)! Starcraft to Koreans is like football to us Americans.

Now after 12 years, Blizzard Entertainment has finally announced that Starcraft 2 (SC2) will be released worldwide on July 27th 2010!!! (ABOUT DANG TIME!) SC2 will feature the same three races with many new units, as well as, a few familiar oldies. The graphics have been pumped up and look absolutely amazing (as it should, being that SC graphics were untouched for 12 years haha). After watching a few game play demos, SC2 looks to be promising and ready to take over where SC left off. However, the true test to its success will come after the release and after I get my hands on it! =)

For more info on SC2 check out: http://us.starcraft2.com/index.xml
(and definitely check out the movies section)