StarCraft Returns in 2030 But Not How Everyone Hoped Causing Disappointment
StarCraft played a significant part in the RTS genre and in Esports. It was one of the first games to take off in Esports. StarCraft II followed in its predecessor’s footsteps. However, over time, Blizzard’s investment in the RTS has dwindled. Many RTS games have tried to replicate StarCraft’s success. None have succeeded. When Blizzard teased a new StarCraft game, excitement built. We are getting a new StarCraft game, but not in the way everyone would have wanted. It is an open-world shooter set to release in 2030.
StarCraft As an Open-World Shooter
The StarCraft story moving to an open-world shooter will take time to digest. Many StarCraft and StarCraft II veterans would have wanted another RTS game. We hoped for that as well. However, that is not what we are getting. David Hay did not dispel hopes of another RTS game during an interview after the trailer reveal. The interview, as posted by Inven Global, revealed more information on the new StarCraft game.
The interview revealed that the shooter will be single-player. It is a story from beginning to end. There is no planned seasonal model, and it will not be a live-service game. Players can play at their own pace. You can explore the world before engaging with the story. If you feel ill-equipped for your upcoming mission, spend time exploring and gearing up. Dan Hay discussed all of this during the interview:
“The shooter we are building features a deep story, main missions, side quests, and character progression. While it will be a gritty and challenging game, we aren’t trying to make it overly punishing. We want to present a degree of challenge while letting players experience an adventure within it. In particular, if a certain mission feels too difficult, you can return to the open world and engage in other activities at your own pace.”
Players will find themselves as the boots on the ground. They will carry out missions given by their superiors. That is a significant shift from controlling the battlefield.
70 Years in The Future
Many will remember the conclusion to the StarCraft story. Kerrigan ascending to become a Xel’Naga and defeating Amon. After Amon’s defeat, everyone was at peace. However, that seems to have changed. The story of the new StarCraft game is set 70 years later. While it is not clear if the trailer is set in the present day, it depicts that conflict has returned.
We see a new Marine recruit prepared and ready for battle with the Zerg. He believes he is ready, but nothing prepares him for what happens. After his gun jams, the Zerg army swarms him and the other Marines. Afterward, we see the husk of the recruit’s armor being cleaned for the next recruit. The cause of the conflict is unknown.
One reason behind the time skip is to create a new narrative and new characters. We may see characters like Sarah Kerrigan, Jim Raynor, and Artanis return. However, their presence is likely limited. If the conflict has returned, perhaps all three have moved on.
Protoss Lurking in the Shadows
The trailer heavily depicts Terran and Zerg, but they are not the only races involved in the story. Dan Hay mentioned that the Protoss are present. The trailer gives us that hint. However, it is easy to miss.
“We didn’t hide them. The Protoss are there. Take another look at the scene where the soldier is deployed onto the battlefield, the door opens, and Mutalisks fly past. If you look closely at the background terrain and architecture, there is a structure that is neither Terran nor Zerg. It’s a Protoss structure. The screen was very bright and the shot passed by quickly, so it might have been hard to spot, but it is definitely there.”
As a Terran soldier, we will face the forces of the Zerg and Protoss. Perhaps both at the same time. The conflicts between the three races will roar once more.
The Four Year Wait
Perhaps the more gut-wrenching announcement is the game’s release. 2030 is a long way away. Announcing a game four years in advance is uncommon. By the time the game releases, many StarCraft and StarCraft II players will be in their 30s and 40s. The community has shown willingness to wait. So what is four more years? Between now and the game’s release, we should expect more information.
Other BlizzCon Related News
More StarCraft information will follow in the coming years. If you want to check out more BlizzCon related news, head over to the articles below.
