StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, the first chapter in the sequel to one of the most wildly successful computer games of all time, went on sale today. It’s available in retail stores and as a digital download for Mac and Windows computers.
Made by World of Warcraft creators Blizzard Entertainment, StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game set in a science fiction universe. Players direct military units with spectacular powers in story-driven, single-player campaigns, or against one another on Blizzard’s Battle.net social gaming service.
The first StarCraft was a major event for competitive multiplayer gaming back in 1998. It sold 11 million units and literally became a national spectator sport in South Korea, helping to create the Korean Internet cafe culture that has birthed many of the world’s most renowned online and social games.
The sequel will be released in three parts. The first, Wings of Liberty, launched today and includes the story of the Terrans, space marines exiled from Earth. Next, Heart of the Swarm will tell the story of the hivemind, insectoid Zerg, and the series will conclude with a noble psionic species called the Protoss in Legacy of the Void. Today’s launch drew long lines in cities all over the world.
In addition to graphical and gameplay updates, StarCraft II adds new online features. The updated Battle.net network adds a tournament-like ladder system and tools to ensure that players will only battle others within their skill range. Blizzard has also implemented a “StarCraft II Marketplace” where players can distribute custom maps and campaigns that they make using tools that come with the game.
Will you be buying this anticipated sequel? Let us know in the comments, and check out the gallery below.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
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