May 5, 2008 6:00 AMComputer and Video Games has posted a hands-on preview of Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming StarCraft II, the eagerly awaited sequel to one of the most successful real time strategy games available. The feature offers a look at some of the new units in action, an explanation of the Zerg Queens new abilities, and comments from Blizzard's Dustin Browder and Chris Sigaty. If the original StarCraft's multiplayer games had one shortfall, it was the sense that there was a set formula for victory; an optimum order in which to construct buildings and units that simply couldn't be countered if built quickly enough. With StarCraft II's multiplayer games seeming to head down a similar route, I asked Sigaty about this design choice. "StarCraft II is a fast game, a mean game, it's all about attack," he explained. "We tried to add in tougher base defences, but it stopped people rushing. They just hid behind their base and no one attacked for a very long time. Whenever the game defences get too strong the game suffers. "If you're not as good as someone else you're going to lose, just like in any other sport. If you try to hit a baseball thrown by a professional pitcher, you won't have a good time and in the same way if you play a professional StarCraft player you will get trounced." With much balancing still ahead, and with the implementation of a collection of player aides that could help level the playing field for newcomers (check out the Learn Don't Burn boxout for more) it's more than possible that my niggling concerns will become moot by the time the game ships. Here's hoping.To read the full article head over to the link listed below.CVG: StarCraft II PreviewBlizzard EntertainmentStarCraft II
