List of StarCraft media

StarCraft is a science fiction media franchise made up of real-time strategy video games developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. The series has several games which carry the main story arc: StarCraft, its expansion pack StarCraft: Brood War, and the trilogy StarCraft II. In addition, the series incorporates media that include spin-off video games,[1] tabletop games,[2] novelizations, graphic novels, and other literature.[3] A variety of toys have also been produced.[4] Set in the 26th century, the series revolves around three species fighting for dominance in a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy: the Terrans, humans exiled from Earth who are adept at adapting to any situation; the Zerg, a race of insectoids obsessed with the pursuit of genetic perfection through the assimilation of other races; and the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psionic abilities attempting to preserve from the Zerg both their civilization and strict philosophical way of living.[5]

Conceived by Chris Metzen and James Phinney, the StarCraft series has been a commercial and critical success. The first game, StarCraft, is regarded as being highly influential in the real-time strategy genre.[6] Combined with its official expansion, Brood War, over 10 million copies of StarCraft have been sold globally.[7] StarCraft remains one of the most popular online games in the world;[8] Blizzard Entertainment reported an 800 percent increase in Battle.net service usage after the game's release in 1998.[9] The series is particularly popular in South Korea, where a successful electronic sports scene has been established.[10]

Games

Video games

Game Release date
North America PAL region
StarCraft 31 March 1998[11] 31 March 1998[11]
StarCraft: Insurrection 31 July 1998[15] 31 July 1998[15]
  • Authorized add-on for StarCraft, developed by Aztech New Media[1]
  • Side story based around a minor planet in the series' backstory
StarCraft: Retribution Late 1998[16] Late 1998[16]
  • Authorized add-on for StarCraft, developed by Stardock and published by WizardWorks Software[1]
  • Side story set around the retrieval of a powerful and ancient artifact
StarCraft: Brood War 30 November 1998[17] March 1999[18]
  • Official expansion pack to StarCraft, developed by Blizzard Entertainment and Saffire and released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS
  • Game events continue from directly after the original game
  • Enhanced the gameplay balance of StarCraft; is used as the base for electronic sports with StarCraft[6]
StarCraft 64 13 June 2000[19] 16 June 2000[19]
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty July 27, 2010[22] July 27, 2010[22]
  • Developed by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows and Mac OS X[23]
  • Continues story from four years after Brood War[24]
  • Intended as a first part of trilogy, and the title will be focusing on the story of Terrans[25]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm March 12, 2013 March 12, 2013
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void November 10, 2015 November 10, 2015
StarCraft: Ghost Cancelled Cancelled

Other games

Game Release date Media type
StarCraft Adventures July 2000[30] Role-playing game
StarCraft: The Board Game October 2007[2] Board game

Soundtracks

Title Release date Length Label
StarCraft: Game Music Vol. 1 January 2000[32] 56:49 Net Vision Entertainment
  • Composed predominantly of tracks inspired by StarCraft and produced by South Korean DJs; a small number of original game tracks composed by Glenn Stafford, Derek Duke, Jason Hayes and Tracy W. Bush were included[32]
  • Discontinued, previously sold through Blizzard Entertainment's online store
StarCraft Original Soundtrack 10 August 2008[33] 63:34 Azeroth Music
  • Comprises tracks composed by Glen Stafford, Derek Duke, Jason Hayes and Tracy W. Bush for in-game themes and cut scenes[34]
  • Released online through iTunes[33]

Printed media

Title Release date ISBN Media type
StarCraft: Revelations 29 March 1999[3] Short story
StarCraft: Hybrid Second quarter of 2000[35] Short story
  • Written by Micky Neilson and published in Amazing Stories magazine[35]
  • Accompanied by artwork by Samwise Didier
StarCraft: Uprising 18 December 2000[36] ISBN 978-0-7434-1898-0 Novelization
StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade 1 March 2001[37] ISBN 978-0-671-04148-9 Novelization
  • Written by Jeff Grubb and published by Simon & Schuster[37]
  • Adaptation of the first campaign in StarCraft
StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga 1 July 2001[38] ISBN 978-0-671-04149-6 Novelization
  • Written by Gabriel Mesta and published by Simon & Schuster[38]
  • Set between StarCraft and Brood War, focusing on the discovery of Xel'Naga artifacts
StarCraft: Speed of Darkness 1 June 2002[39] ISBN 978-0-671-04150-2 Novelization
  • Written by Tracy Hickman and published by Simon & Schuster[39]
  • Side story set in the first campaign in StarCraft, focusing on the lives of individual Confederate marines
StarCraft: Queen of Blades 1 June 2006[40] ISBN 978-0-7434-7133-6 Novelization
  • Written by Aaron S. Rosenberg and published by Simon & Schuster[40]
  • Adaptation of the second campaign in StarCraft
StarCraft Ghost: Nova 28 November 2006[41] ISBN 978-0-7434-7134-3 Novelization
  • Written by Keith R.A. DeCandido and published by Simon & Schuster[41]
  • Set during the first campaign in StarCraft, focuses on the origins of Nova
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #1: Firstborn 22 May 2007[42] ISBN 978-0-7434-7125-1 Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[42]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, focusing on excavation of Xel'Naga artifacts and Protoss history
The StarCraft Archive 13 November 2007[43] ISBN 978-1-4165-4929-1 Anthology
  • Collection of early StarCraft novels, published by Simon & Schuster[43]
  • Consists of Uprising, Liberty's Crusade, Shadow of the Xel'Naga and Speed of Darkness
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters 27 November 2007[44] ISBN 978-1-4165-8003-4 Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[44]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, continuation of storyline begun in Firstborn
StarCraft: Frontline August 2008[45] ISBN 978-1-4278-0721-2 Graphic novel
  • Written by Richard A. Knaak and published by Tokyopop[45]
  • An anthology of short stories set before StarCraft II exploring the viewpoints of the three main species
StarCraft: I, Mengsk 30 December 2008[46] ISBN 978-1-4165-5083-9 Novelization
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight 30 June 2009[47] ISBN 978-0-7434-7129-9 Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[47]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, concludes the story arc of The Dark Templar Saga
StarCraft: Ghost Academy 1 January 2010 [48] Graphic novel
  • Written by Keith R.A. DeCandido and David Gerrold and published by Tokyopop[48]
  • Focuses on the training of Nova as an espionage agent
StarCraft Ghost: Spectres 27 September 2011[49] Novelization
  • Written by Nate Kenyon and published by Simon & Schuster[49]
  • Sequel to StarCraft Ghost: Nova

Other media

Title Release date Media type
StarCraft Battle Chest 31 December 1999[50] Video game compilation
StarCraft Cinematics DVD First quarter of 2001[52] Cinematic cut scene collection

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Official StarCraft FAQ at Battle.net". Battle.net. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  2. 1 2 3 "StarCraft". Fantasy Flight Games. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  3. 1 2 3 "StarCraft is an Amazing Story". IGN. 1999-03-23. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  4. "Blizzard tackles toys". IGN. 1998-11-22. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  5. "The Story So Far: Part 1: StarCraft". Blizzard Entertainment. 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Greatest Games of All Time". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. 1998. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  7. Olsen, Kelly (2007-05-21). "South Korean gamers get a sneak peek at 'StarCraft II'". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  8. 1 2 Rossignol, Jim (2005-04-01). "Sex, Fame and PC Baangs: How the Orient plays host to PC gaming's strangest culture". PC Gamer UK. Retrieved 2006-08-20.
  9. "Blizzard's Battle.net Remains Largest Online Game Service in the World; Battle.net Dominates Online Gaming Industry With 2.1 Million Active Users; Korea Becomes World's No. 1 Market". Business Wire. CBS Interactive. 1999-02-04. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
  10. Ki-tae, Kim (2005-03-20). "Will StarCraft Survive Next 10 Years?". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  11. 1 2 "StarCraft's 10-Year Anniversary: A Retrospective". Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  12. "IGN Top 100 Games 2007 #11: StarCraft". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  13. "StarCraft for MAC". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  14. 1 2 "Insurrection: Campaigns for StarCraft for PC". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  15. 1 2 Chin, Elliott. "Preview: StarCraft: Brood War". GameSpot. CNET Networks. Archived from the original on 2003-06-22. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
  16. "StarCraft: Brood War for MAC". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
  17. "StarCraft: Brood War for PC". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  18. 1 2 "StarCraft 64". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  19. "StarCraft Needs Some Expansion". IGN. 1999-11-16. Retrieved 2006-08-19.
  20. Fielder, Joe (12 June 2000). "StarCraft 64 for Nintendo 64 Review". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  21. 1 2 "STARCRAFT II: WINGS OF LIBERTY IN STORES STARTING JULY 27, 2010". Blizzard Entertainment. 2010-05-03. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  22. 1 2 3 "Press release: StarCraft II unveiled". Blizzard Entertainment. 2007-05-19. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  23. Park, Andrew (2007-05-20). "Blizzard outlines StarCraft II gameplay". GameSpot. CNET Networks. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  24. 1 2 3 Vasconcellos, Eduardo; Ocampo, Jason (2008-10-10). "Blizzcon 08: StarCraft II Split Into Three Games". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  25. "Press Release". StarCraft: Ghost. Blizzard Entertainment. 2002-09-20. Archived from the original on 2002-10-04. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  26. Van Autrijve, Rainier (2004-07-07). "Blizzard Taps Swingin' Ape to work on StarCraft: Ghost". GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  27. Kahney, Leander (2015-08-15). "Vaporware: Better Late Than Never". Wired News. CondéNet. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
  28. "Blizzard cancels its next-gen MMO Titan after seven years". Polygon. 2015-08-15. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
  29. 1 2 "Alternity StarCraft Books". Alternity. TSR, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  30. "Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design". Origins Game Fair. 2008-06-28. Archived from the original on 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  31. 1 2 "StarCraft: Game Music Vol. 1". Game OST. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  32. 1 2 "Blizzard Entertainment Soundtracks Now On iTunes". Blizzard Entertainment. 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  33. "StarCraft Original Soundtrack". Music4Games. 2007-09-04. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  34. 1 2 "Amazing Stories Issue #601". Amazing Stories. Paizo Publishing. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  35. 1 2 "StarCraft: Uprising (eBook)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  36. 1 2 "StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  37. 1 2 "StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  38. 1 2 "StarCraft: Speed of Darkness (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  39. 1 2 "StarCraft: Queen of Blades (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  40. 1 2 "StarCraft Ghost: Nova (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  41. 1 2 "StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #1: Firstborn (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  42. 1 2 "The StarCraft Archive: An Anthology (Trade Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  43. 1 2 "StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  44. 1 2 "StarCraft: Frontline Manga". IGN. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  45. 1 2 "StarCraft: I, Mengsk (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  46. 1 2 "StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight (Mass Market Paperback)". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  47. 1 2 "New York Comic Con 2008 - Tokyopop Starcraft: Frontline, Starcraft: Ghost Academy, Warcraft Legends & Warcraft: Dragons of Outla". Blizzplanet. Blizzard Entertainment. 2008-04-21. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  48. 1 2 "StarCraft Ghost: Nova Pocket Book Sequel". Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  49. "StarCraft Battle Chest". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  50. "StarCraft Battle Chest". Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  51. 1 2 Walker, Trey (2008-04-17). "StarCraft DVD offer". GameSpot (UK). CNET Networks. Retrieved 2008-09-30.

External links

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