Campaign Evolution

 

   When StarCraft released in 1998, it forever engraved in the minds of gamers, a deep and entertaining narrative that still manages to fascinate a decade later. Many would argue its continued success with the advent of e-sports and professional gaming that has managed to captivate not just the hardcore players, but the mainstream audience looking on as well. Given its huge success worldwide and in particular, South Korea, the notion of watching televised 'matches' has become ever so popular. What makes StarCraft as equally special in the hearts of many gamers, is the memorable cast of characters and story elements that manages to succeed in immortalizing its narrative gaming experience.

 

 
   At the time, the advances Blizzard had applied to StarCraft from its previous experience with the WarCraft franchise, had created new story dynamics that helped pull the player into the evolving universe set before them. In StarCraft, the 'Briefing Room' was used in between each mission as a way of further developing the storyline and the relationship interactions between characters. It was certainly an entertaining experience and one that many of us still remember when discussing the single player aspects of the game. Cutscenes were also used at various times throughout the campaign to enhance the story and inject more life to the inherent struggles going on in the universe.

 

 
Such dynamic story-telling was indeed innovative at the time,  but it never fully involved the player on a deep and personal level. Still, the way in which the information was presented, lended a great deal of satisfaction and rewards as the player completed each mission. Even more impressive was the ability to play through the campaign through each of the three unique races. Not only giving more insight into the motives that led each race to their final conclusion, but a greater understanding and purpose to the overall story.

 

   With the announcement of StarCraft 2 back in May of 2007, rumors and discussions ran high as to how Blizzard would surpass the original and move the story motives into new territory. From what we know thus far, they look set to dilineate the series with a plethora of extensive new 'briefing' mechanics. No longer confined to a single briefing room and talking heads, players will now be able to finally interact with important figures and events.

 

    Pictured above, you can see how Blizzard has evolved the briefing room from the original StarCraft and brought it back with enough originality and 'style' that should please even the most jaded of fans. Increasing the relationships between the player and the characters of StarCraft 2 was a big priority this time around, and it definitely shows. The ability to choose your own dialogue with the characters, lends itself enough choice for the player to decide whether to uncover more back story, or continue on with the campaign at their discretion.

 

   Not only will you be able to interact with certain characters, but it may also lead to unique 'sub-plots' that gives a deeper back story if the player chooses to unravel the dialogue even further. Along with dialogue interaction, other choices abound with environment interactions as well. Computer screens, background machinery and even glass windows are all interactive with the click of a button. Some more for amusement purposes, others having very specific purposes that will find the player using quite frequently.

 

 

   One such mechanic is the vital importance of the 'Star Map' found in the main briefing room. As with the freedom of dialogue choices, the star map offers a unique method of showing the player where exactly they are in respects to the other planets and systems around them. This offers a sense of scope that helps to expand the player's knowledge of the StarCraft locations found in the game universe. Not only a nice way of knowing where you are visually, but also letting you choose where to go next in regards to the campaign structure. However, it is not known how much choice Blizzard will lend the player in this regard, as they try to balance the progression of the story itself.

 

 

 Beyond our current knowledge of the Terran campaign structure, little is known how the Protoss and Zerg will play out. At Blizzcon this past August, it was shared that the other two races would feature similiar 'briefing rooms', yet still maintain a strikingly different approach in how the information is given to you and how you interact with it. What is certain though, is the current display of polish and originality that looks to expand upon the original with the improved campaign mechanics that are in store for StarCraft 2.