Today Blizzard announced their new and much awaited project: StarCraft II.

Among the features highlighted, Blizzard mentions new units for the same three races from the previous game, new gameplay mechanics and a new 3D engine.

By the screenshots on the website, I wouldn't say the graphics are much better than those seen in Warcraft III. To be honest, they just look a polished version of the first game for me.

Would it be that Blizzard is aiming on gameplay rather than graphic gimmicks?

Other than the obvious massive resolution improvement, I think it's easier to see the improvements in motion. 3D animation and effects allows for much more fluidity at many more angles than 1998 sprites.

Most people are aware that Blizzard.com and worldofwarcraft.com were both doing a "countdown" to unveil the new product. Because the official announcement was happening at the Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational in Korea, most people were assuming it was one of the two things known to be popular in asia: MMO's or Starcraft.

I had my money on the unveiled game being Starcraft: Ghost.... guess I lost out. I'm fully expecting any game detailed on the Nintendo 64 packaging (at least in North America) to become available... any... day... now.... :)

"Doing the HAPPY DANCE!!!!"

Oh yeah...what happened to that game anyway?

A logical conclusion, especially since I can't recall a single Blizzard title that *did* put more emphasis on graphics than gameplay. And what a surprise...Blizzard games sell really well, too!

Then again...surely there will need to be major improvements in all areas if the sequel is coming almost ten years after the original?

We need more games as awesome as StarCraft, so a sequel that has similar gameplay to the first would make sense.

It's strange, I've never been a fan but even I've always wanted a sequel to this just because I know how passionate people are about this game and it seemed so obvious to do one. So I'm really excited and happy for all the fans. Congratualtions!

I can picture my future review now: "1001 ways how not to create a cult-fan sequel"

*fingers crossed*. Hope the sequel doesn't become a disaster.

No matter how good it is there will be fans complaining about how it sucks/isn't as good as the original.

Oh yes. The thing I hate most about fanboys is how they can't accept anything new. If designers implement new ideas in a sequel, they immediately start complaining.

I still can't believe how many Final Fantasy fanboys bashed FFXII because of its new combat system...

Some folks are still bashing Final Fantasy VII for it's 3D graphics and slot weapons.

To be fair to "fanboys," I don't think it's really an objection to novelty. It's the feeling of being misled or exploited by a marketing ploy. If there is a whole lot new in a game, then it's not really truth in advertising to call it a sequel. It's a new game, and should probably have a new name to reflect that.

I don't think we have to worry about that. They're tight-lipped about what will be new in Starcraft 2, but so far it seems they're playing it safe.

Why the name change?