StarCraft (video game)

StarCraft[a] is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment and released for Microsoft Windows on March 31, 1998.[1] The game later spawned a franchise, and is the first game of the StarCraft series. A Classic Mac OS version was released in 1999, and a Nintendo 64 adaptation co-developed with Mass Media was released on June 13, 2000.[2] Work on the game started shortly after Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness' release in 1995. StarCraft debuted at the 1996 E3, where it was unfavorably compared to Warcraft II. As a result, the project was entirely overhauled and then showcased to public in early 1997, receiving a far more positive response.

StarCraft
The box art of StarCraft
StarCraft's box art depicts a Protoss warrior, flanked by a Zerg creature and a Terran soldier.
Developer(s) Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher(s) Blizzard Entertainment
Designer(s)
Chris Metzen
James Phinney
Composer(s)
Derek Duke
Jason Hayes
Glenn Stafford
Tracy W. Bush
Series StarCraft
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, Nintendo 64
Release
Microsoft Windows
NA: March 31, 1998[1]
EU: 1998
Mac
NA: 1999
Nintendo 64
NA: June 13, 2000[2]
AU: May 25, 2001
Genre(s) Real-time strategy
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Set in a fictitious timeline during the Earth's 25th century, the game revolves around three species fighting for dominance in a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy known as the Koprulu Sector: the Terrans, humans exiled from Earth skilled at adapting to any situation; the Zerg, a race of insectoid aliens in pursuit of genetic perfection, obsessed with assimilating other races; and the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psionic abilities, attempting to preserve their civilization and strict philosophical way of living from the Zerg.

Many of the industry's journalists have praised StarCraft as one of the best[3] and most important[4] video games of all time, and for having raised the bar for developing real-time strategy games.[5] With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, StarCraft is one of the best-selling games for the personal computer.[6] The game has been praised for pioneering the use of unique factions in real-time strategy gameplay[7] and for a compelling story.[8] StarCraft's multiplayer is particularly popular in South Korea, where players and teams participate in professional competitions, earn sponsorships, and compete in televised tournaments.[9] StarCraft has had its storyline adapted and expanded through a series of novels, the expansion pack StarCraft: Brood War and two authorized add-ons. A sequel, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, was released in July 2010, and a remastered edition of the original and expansion was released on August 14, 2017. The original game, along with the expansion, was released to the public for free on April 19, 2017.[10]

Gameplay Edit


A Protoss force attacks a Zerg colony, shown from StarCraft's isometric perspective
Blizzard Entertainment's use of three distinct races in StarCraft is widely credited with revolutionizing the real-time strategy genre.[5] All units are unique to their respective races and while rough comparisons can be drawn between certain types of units in the technology tree, every unit performs differently and requires different tactics for a player to succeed.

The psionic and technologically adept Protoss have access to powerful units and machinery and advanced technologies such as energy shields and localized warp capabilities, powered by their psionic traits. However, their forces have lengthy and expensive manufacturing processes, encouraging players to follow a strategy of the quality of their units over the quantity.[11] The insectoid Zerg possess entirely organic units and structures, which can be produced quickly and at a far cheaper cost to resources, but are accordingly weaker, relying on sheer numbers and speed to overwhelm enemies.[12] The humanoid Terrans provide a middle ground between the other two races, providing units that are versatile and flexible. They have access to a range of more ballistic military technologies and machinery, such as tanks and nuclear weapons.[13]

Although each race is unique in its composition, no race has an innate advantage over the other. Each species is balanced out so that while they have different strengths, powers, and abilities their overall strength is the same. The balance stays complete via infrequent patches (game updates) provided by Blizzard.[14]

Nice