StarCraft II Delayed Until 2010
The Wait Continues for Blizzard's Hotly Anticipated PC Strategy Game
Developer Blizzard Entertainment chalked up the release holdup to difficulties in the redesign of its Battle.net online service, the primary platform for StarCraft II's integral multiplayer game modes.
Blizzard is in the process of revamping its online service not only for StarCraft II, but also in anticipation for the release of hack-and-slash RPG Diablo III in the near future.
"Over the past couple of weeks, it has become clear that it will take longer than expected to prepare the new Battle.net for the launch of the game," Blizzard explained in a statement on the Battle.net forums. "This extra development time will be critical to help us realize our vision for the service."
This latest snag shouldn't come as much of a surprise to those who have followed Blizzard over the years.
The highly meticulous studio, which is also behind the ridiculously popular online RPG World of Warcraft, has a checkered history of missing expected release dates and sending its products out "when they're ready."
"We will always take as much time as needed to ensure that our games and services meet the expectations of our players," Blizzard said in the statement, "and the standard for quality that we set for ourselves as developers."
StarCraft II Hopes to Build on Legacy of 1998 Blockbuster
Ever since StarCraft II's development was announced in 2007, fans and industry experts alike have been waiting with bated breath for the next installment in the heavily influential franchise.
The original StarCraft, a real-time strategy space opera set in isometric view, was a monster success when it hit shelves in 1998 and continues to be played competitively around the world to this day.
Fans of the series are hoping the game stays true to the original while industry insiders ponder how big of an impact the game will have on the struggling PC gaming market.
According to one estimate, the game could sell as many as 4 million copies in the first quarter of its release. By comparison, the first StarCraft sold 1.5 million units worldwide in its release year.
For its part, Blizzard is hoping the revamped Battle.net service will counteract piracy of its new game, which should help bolster sales
The game is set to be released in three separate offerings - a base release and two expansions - with the first entry entitled Wings of Liberty.
This pseudo-trilogy will have players once again taking control of the Terrans, Zergs and Protoss in the distant future as the three races battle it out against the backdrop of space in a massive intergalactic conflict.
Returning to the fray will be several key heroes and antagonists fans got to know in the first game, including Sarah Kerrigan, the former human turned alien monstrosity, and Zeratul, an ancient dark templar of the Protoss race.
StarCraft II will be released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
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