Starcraft 2 details

StarCraft 2 will be an RTS largely in the same vein as its predecessor. The game will feature the same three races: Protoss, Zerg, and Terran. Action will unfold on the same type of 2D plane as before, with multitiered maps that ground units must use ramps to move between. Graphics have been updated significantly, many new units added, and some old units removed. Blizzard was unwilling to divulge much about how the Zerg and Terran forces have changed, but shed some light on the new developments for the Protoss. Story specifics are still being kept under wraps, though from the concept art it seems Kerrigan will somehow be involved. The game will release "when it's done" for PC and Mac only. It's currently in pre-alpha stages of development, and has been in production at Blizzard since the release of WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne in 2003.

Hell, it's about time.

The epic interplanetary battle between the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg will take on new dimensions in this sequel to the classic real-time strategy original. With new units and functionality for each race, upgrades to several familiar units, and a powerful 3D engine that supports explosive fast-paced combat between massive armies, StarCraft II will be the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.

Highlights of StarCraft II include:

• Tightly balanced competitive real-time strategy gameplay that recaptures and improves on the magic of the original game
• New units and gameplay mechanics that further distinguish the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races
• An all-new 3D engine that supports fast-paced play with realistic physics, massive units, and massive army sizes
• A groundbreaking single-player campaign that continues the epic StarCraft story
• A powerful map editor that puts the tools used by the game's designers into the hands of players