14 DAY TRIAL // Activision Blizzard is a big company that has considerable resources it can use for video game development. And Blizzard, which is set to remain autonomous from its bigger partner Activision, is well known for the fact that it releases games when it believes they are ready and not when the publisher thinks they should be launched.
Starcraft II was shown at all the big trade shows of the summer, like E3, PAX and the Leipzig Games Convention, and it seemed pretty playable. Those who got some hands on time with the game reported that it was an interesting experience, which added new things and options while preserving the feel of the first edition. But, even if the game seems pretty much done at this point, Activision plans to release it in 2009 and not 2008.
We're very happy to see that the previous line of "sometime in the distant future" has been replaced by a firm, if disappointing, "2009." There were a few people who thought that the game would come out in 2008, mostly because of some misguided listings on the websites of various retailers. But with the Wrath of the Lich King expansion coming to World of Warcraft this autumn, in time for the Christmas sales bonanza, it was always highly unlikely that Starcraft II would debut to provide competition for another Blizzard title.
Starcrat II is set to be the follow-up to the highly successful Blizzard title that rocked the world of gaming when it was launched in 1998. The new game is not going to reinvent the universe, but looks mainly to expand the gameplay possibilities offered while also updating the graphics.
Now probably every Starcraft fan out there is hoping that Blizzard become eager to affirm its independence as a developer and launch the game earlier than Activision thinks. Still, better hold off on the excitement and wait until 2009.