The lights are on
How do you begin working on a sequel to one of the most popular games of all time? A follow-up to a game that's still being played so intensely that it's become a national pastime for some? Well, if you're Blizzard, you just go in with no overarching plan at all.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, StarCraft II design director Dustin Browder revealed that the team "didn't set out with any goals in mind" when they started creating StarCraft II. From the interview:
"Our creative process on StarCraft II was very different than the creative process I've used on other RTS games I've worked on, or even on Warcraft III. We didn't set out with any goals in mind, and I'm sure that this will upset the fans terribly. What we did instead was that we said, 'We want to make a bunch of cool units, and we're going to make each unit as cool as we can possibly make it, and then we'll see how it all works together, and we'll tune as necessary from there.' So it was never our intention specifically to do anything exactly with the races. Our goal was to make the units as interesting as possible and as different from one another as we possibly could. From there we could see how the races changed and evolved."
To Blizzard's credit, beginning with your only plan as making the coolest units possible is probably a much better way to approach StarCraft II than going in with the intention to shake things up or toy with fans' expectations. If the beta is any indication, that process will pay off for the final game.
Check back throughout the week for more from our interview with Dustin Browder, and watch for the full interview on Friday.
Email the author Phil Kollar, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
Played the beta and wasn't all that impressed.
I like the way they're going about. Its hard to follow such a huge game. Going in with the same intentions you had in making the first games keeps some of the games integrity and uniqueness.
Is pure awesomeness a goal?
That seems like a PR response. I have my doubts that they had absolutely no goals in mind. I'd bet the people in charge of dollars and numbers made sure their were goals and mile markers set in place.
"...we're going to make each unit as cool as we can possibly make it."
So I can safely assume there are Robo-bears with chainsaw lawnmowers? Alligator bazooka ninjas with machete shoes? Dinosaur spies holding flamethrowers in rocket wheelchairs? Hmmm?
No, there's not, is there? Then I know a certain StarCraft II developer that needs to be back in the office this afternoon.
I think Diablo 3 will pwn this game
Ghostpig is absolutely right.
I'm a big believer of aesthetics first when it comes to cars for example, and a to a less extent in games. Penning out the body style before the chassis is a viable way of developing, no?
So their goal/plan was to make interesting, unique & cool units. It might not be a detailed goal or plan but they still went into Starcraft II with a plan so stating that they didn't have one is an oxymoron. I'm not sure if they are trying to get a rise out of fans or gamers but this article is dumb.
@Ghostpig
I think you meant, Robo-bears with chainsaw lawnmower ARMS
I'm jealous of anyone who's had a chance to play this game. GRAZHSDSANK~K
I DID mean that, Kyle. Or should I say: Vice President of Ghostpig Inc., Kyle ChainsawlawnmowerARMSthinkerofer. Congratulations on your promotion, sir.
I try, sir. I try.
(yawn)
I awake every day with no plan whatsoever. These folks really speak to me.
I don't care if the inspiration was pink elephants, as long as it lives up to its predecessor.
I'm sure this would make some fans angry but I'm not really that perturbed. Great things can happen when one isn't constrained by goals. Sure, you want to set deadline's and objectives as with any projects, but setting a goal like "We want to revolutionize RTS multiplayer" or "Create a true sequel to the game", etc can sometimes constrain a game from becoming it's fullest.
Blizzard has good people working at it, and good people make good games. To hell with goals!
Very interesting.
sounds to me like a good strategy to me, but as long as it all works out in the end, it doesnt really matter to me what they do
Can't wait for the game. I love Starcraft.