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Starcraft Universe alpha gameplay video released

by Jef Reahard on Jul 18th 2011 12:30PM

Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items

What if the year's most noteworthy MMO release wasn't a mega-budget corporate themepark but a crazy-detailed mod produced by a tiny team of fans? A lot of gamers out there would love to see a StarCraft-flavored MMORPG, and modder Ryan Winzen is in the process of making that dream a reality with StarCraft Universe, a total conversion for Blizzard's StarCraft II that turns the strategy title into a full-blown massively multiplayer experience.

Eurogamer has published a four-minute video of the mod in action, and viewers will get a good look at the alpha-state UI, combat, and a glimpse of character creation before the clip is done. As to the legalities involved, we reported earlier this year on Winzen's amicable accord with Blizzard, and though the gaming giant invoked its right to block the distribution of videos promoting the mod, it allowed development on the project to continue.

Source: Eurogamer

Tags: alpha, alpha-video, blizzard, fan-projects, gameplay, mod, mods, ryan-winzen, sci-fi, starcraft, starcraft-ii, starcraft-universe, total-conversion, trailer, world-of-starcraft

Reader Comments (28)

Wasn't there already one called Wold of Starcraft, which Blizzard shut down? I remember reading about it.. might not have been an MMO though.

@Danteeeee Didnt read the last part, and cure the lack of an edit button. Wonder if it's the same one with a different name

@Danteeeee This is the same mod. He had to change World of Starcraft to Starcraft Universe is all.

Entirely instanced based, with 12 players maximum, no character leveling (some points based system is implemented I guess). Not really a MMO. More of a PVE MOBA.

@extispex
It's probably a mmo in the same vein that Guild Wars is a mmo, which it is.

If it's good people won't care what it's called and that you can only see 12 players on the screen at a time.

@extispex that's all you can say about an MMO (yes, mmo) made with a map editor of an RTS ?

@Kalec
I don't know what you mean, but yes, I don't think it really belongs on a site like Massively. When it was thought to be an actual persistent mmo, and not an instanced based coop, sure. I also don't think MOBAs should be included here. These are not MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER. Even Global Agenda shouldn't be included. I have the choice to read this site, and the choice to express my opinions. In my opinion, this is not an MMO. In your opinion it is. That's fine.

@real65rcncom

So I am interested to know whether characters created through this map (or is it a collection of maps?) is persistent or not? If it is not persistent then I don't see how it can be called an MMO... however... the gameplay footage looks really promising.

@extispex " I don't think it really belongs on a site like Massively"

so I guess you paint Guild Wars with that brush too?

@real65rcncom You do know GW1 creators have even openly said it's not an MMO, GW1 isn't an MMO and this doesn't seem to be one either

@Vgk Don't get me wrong though, an actual Starcraft MMO sounds like an interesting idea

@kgptzac

Games like Diablo, COD, newer BFs, Crysis 2 all feature persistent characters. Does that make them MMOs?

Well, glad to see this thing of World of Starcraft/Universe and the guy who made it, Webzen, finally sorted out for the best.

Pretty cool!

@Space Cobra Don't you mean Winzen? lolol... webzen, that would be a failure.

@(Unverified)

Yeah, your right! Was off by two letters! :D

Blizzard is letting him do his own thing until the time comes where enough people get interested then Mr. Winzen will land himself a job at Blizzard.

I'm still annoyed that Starcraft 2 lacks the amazing Hero system of WC3. Means custom maps will be more generic and less exciting unless people spend an eternity on developing the maps.

Hopefully by fall there'll be some actual fun/well-done customs out there.

@Sorithal

And damn, that looks amazingly close to WoW's UI and such in the video. Really hoping more map makers start pumping out quality like this.

Though it would be nice to see a leveling RPG similar to the "Open RPG" maps on Warcraft 3.

@Sorithal I've always heard that the Hero system is still in the map editor, just not used in the main game. But maybe that was removed before release.

Arent' those suits from warhammer 40k the board game?

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Starcraft Universe alpha gameplay video released

Reader Comments (28)

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:39PM Danteeeee said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:40PM Danteeeee said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:08PM VIVIsectVI said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:49PM extispex said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:09PM real65rcncom said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:10PM Kalec said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:20PM extispex said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:32PM kgptzac said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:51PM fallwind said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 4:54PM Vgk said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 4:55PM Vgk said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 7:20PM ColRoofles said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:15PM Space Cobra said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:26PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:46PM Space Cobra said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:56PM Alex Oglitchkin said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:04PM Sorithal said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:09PM Sorithal said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 3:14PM Callagan said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 3:46PM Lateris said

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