Starcraft, Blizzard’s classic game, which has become a genre benchmark, has had a recent renaissance 25 years since its release.
Many people consider 1998 the best year in the history of video games. That year saw the release of games such as:
- StarCraft
- Resident Evil 2
- Metal Gear Solid
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Baldur’s Gate
- Half-Life
- Grim Fandango
All these games made the gaming industry completely revolutionized; they also gave gamers around the world the opportunity to experience video games like never before.
Among the games released that year was a benchmark of the strategy genres; we are talking about StarCraft, created by Blizzard Entertainment. The game came to computers on March 31, 1998, and yesterday marked 25 years since its release.
StarCraft is a game with a great story
Many people fondly remember the game developed by Blizzard for different reasons. However, perhaps the two most important keys of the game were the game’s narrative and its three races so different from each other.
The games before StarCraft already told stories, but it was about a light plot, a reason to fight, and nothing more. However, with the arrival of StarCraft, the strategy genre went up a notch in terms of the actors’ performances and the story itself. In addition, StarCraft’s narrative offered events in the missions in each of the three campaigns of the different races’ missions.
The three races are another crucial point of the title, not only because of how different they are in appearance but also the specificities and variations of their units. But, on the other hand, there was the way we should play with each of them; or even how we should build or advance them to be more powerful.
It can be said that until the launch of StarCraft, there was no game with which it could be compared.
StarCraft multiplayer
Other key factors for the success of StarCraft were the multiplayer mode, the design of the maps, the balance of the game, and the performance of the game for Battle.net. This game was, for many, their first opportunity to play multiplayer.
The multiplayer was a huge online success, where the community also contributed a lot by creating maps or game modes. Another big success was StarCraft esports, especially in South Korea, where the title practically became a national sport.
StarCraft is the beginning of a great story
StarCraft is the exciting beginning of a story that, hopefully, is not over. Following the game’s release, that same year in November saw the release of Brood War, a StarCraft expansion.
In addition, the video game inspired the release of numerous books and marketing products associated with the game’s science fiction and its most popular characters.
Many years later came StarCraft II, which was composed of three parts. Then, in 2010 came StarCraft: Ghost, which was the first part, later StarCraft: Heart of the Swarm and StarCraft: Legacy of the Void. Finally, in 2017 they released a remastered version of StarCraft: Remastered.
Many video game fans wonder if StarCraft II marked the saga’s conclusion or if Blizzard intends to surprise them all in the coming years.