When the phrase real-time-strategy game comes up, a few select choices instantly spring up. Any title from the Age of Empire series is an instant guess. Titles from Anno are also fondly played by RTS gamers. However, StarCraft has long held a special place for all RTS gamers. It’s the only RTS game that’s had a relatively huge eSports scene. It’s successor, StarCraft 2 continues that legacy. And now Blizzard is playing homage to the original the only developers know how to; by releasing a remastered version, StarCraft: Remastered.
StarCraft: Remastered takes the 1998 version of the game, including its Brood War expansion, and gives it a new coat of paint, complete with 4K resolution. Furthermore, it also receives improved audio and support for Blizzard’s current game launcher and network.
In addition to the coat of paint, Blizzard is also introducing some new features and content. Other updates will include new illustrations to enhance storytelling in the game’s, and its expansion’s, campaign missions; advanced matchmaking; cloud saving for campaign progress, custom maps, replays, and keybinds; support for eight new languages in addition to the original five; and more. While these improvements will bring StarCraft to the modern era, gameplay and balance have been precisely preserved, for an experience that will feel identical to veteran players.
“StarCraft is a pure distillation of Blizzard’s DNA—its story, its balance, and all the little details reflect our long-running commitment to epic entertainment, and it’s been a staple in competitive gaming and esports for almost 20 years. With StarCraft: Remastered, we’re modernizing the original game’s visuals, audio, and online support to ensure that players can enjoy StarCraft for another 20 years and beyond.”
– Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.
As a result, Blizzard will expect to see veterans of the game to return for the added new content as well as a swarm of newer and younger players. Blizzard is developing StarCraft: Remastered for release on Windows® and Mac® PCs, with an anticipated release date this summer. Pricing and related information on StarCraft: Remastered will be announced at a later date
