Starcraft: Ghost "Indefinitely Postponed"

Flakin · Post by **Flakin** » 2006-03-26 10:14pm

Not really surprised about this, but it would of been nice to see the Starcraft World from a different perspective.

IGN wrote:StarCraft: Ghost Goes To Heaven?
Blizzard announces that it's moving next-gen, and that Ghost may not be coming with it.
by Nix

March 24, 2006 - Few games have had as many ups and downs as Blizzard's ambitious action gaiden to its famed StarCraft series, StarCraft: Ghost. In its unveiling at the Tokyo Game Show in 2002, the console-only game was the biggest news imaginable, a full new outing in a franchise that had not seen its deserved share of action in many years. Following that unveiling, however, the game saw numerous delays, and depending on what show you caught the game at, StarCraft: Ghost did not always impress media watchers in the glowing ways that a game of its stature might be expected to earn. While the title continued to improve, its extended development time had it competing with increasingly impressive new titles every year. The game also suffered setbacks in development, as its original coding team at Nihilistic was forced to leave the project behind when its contract was up due to other engagements. The game seemed as if it might get back on track when new developer Swinging Ape took over the project (and the focusing on just PS2 and Xbox, with the GameCube version officially cancelled), but of course, that was in July of 2004, and this is now March of 2006.

And now, StarCraft: Ghost has hit yet another crossroad, as franchise creator and project overseer Blizzard has announced that it "will indefinitely postpone production" on the game as the company shifts its focus to new next-gen systems. The good news is that Blizzard hasn't yet given up the Ghost -- the company explains in its announcement that it is evaluating the potential of StarCraft: Ghost as a next-gen title, and indicates that if the game goes that route, it will utilize the additional console power for a more impressive game than was originally conceived. The bad news, of course, is that this leaves little chance of seeing the current-gen StarCraft: Ghost version continued to release, and it promises an even longer (or eternal, if worse comes to worst) wait for StarCraft fans.

"Like many in the industry, we've been impressed with the potential of the new consoles, and we're looking forward to exploring that potential further," stated Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "In addition to allowing us to determine the best course for StarCraft: Ghost, this review period will help us lay the groundwork for our future console games."

Despite the cursed development history, StarCraft: Ghost has plenty of promise. Its concept is a cross between classic StarCraft RTS play and single-player stealth action (ala Metal Gear.) The game focuses on a female hero from the intriguing Ghost character set out of the StarCraft series, who have special powers and incredible Terran technology in their arsenal. Late in development, StarCraft: Ghost also added online multiplayer features, which promised to please fans of the RTS franchise who have been dying for the series to get anywhere near the number "2" after being left behind for other Blizzard franchises after the original release, a few expansion packs, and a billion hours of logged-on and LAN multiplay.

Will StarCraft: Ghost go next-gen? Or is this the end for our pony-tailed heroine Ghost Nova? Blizzard plans to make its specific plans for the future of StarCraft: Ghost known in further announcements, so please check back in between your Brood War bouts for more news.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2006-03-26 10:28pm

Pfft...with the cash cow that is called World of Warcraft. I'll be amazed they produce ANYTHING ANYTIME soon.

Ghost was pushed back and back...but after WoW. I expect to see it when we're in the twentih generation systems.

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2006-03-26 10:41pm

Shame.

On a vaguely related note, did Blizzard ever give any reason why they were so virulently opposed to, you know, actually making a Starcraft 2?

Flakin · Post by **Flakin** » 2006-03-26 10:45pm

Noble Ire wrote:Shame.

On a vaguely related note, did Blizzard ever give any reason why they were so virulently opposed to, you know, actually making a Starcraft 2?

The offical word is and has always seemed to be that they "Fully intend to revisit the Starcraft universe". I don't know why they've delayed anything to do with Starcraft for so long, I would of thought folks, especially in the Korean market, would of lapped it up.

GR makes a good point though, with Blizzard getting fat off WoW, that's bound to be where their priorities lie.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2006-03-26 10:47pm

I'm not sure why this is a big deal. Starcraft is a great game, but the unique things that made it great I don't believe will translate into an FPS.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-03-26 10:55pm

Ghost blew. I played the Demo they were showing off at SDCC last year, and it was a bog average game pretty much. Knowing Blizz, they want to produce games that will be played In Korea for at least 8 years.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2006-03-26 11:00pm

Well... the latest issue of PC Gamer US talked about an upcoming exclusive preview next month of (paraphrased) "a legendary RTS franchise returning after a long wait. No, not that one. The other one." They wouldn't say anything more, the bastards.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2006-03-26 11:02pm

Yes Ghost died when it switched production teams, it went from a kickass Thief in Space/Deus Ex free-form game in the Starcraft universe to a Halo clone with manditory sneaking elements painted on. The suckameter was blaring a level nine alarm and considering that nearly everything with Blizzard's logo is 100% quality they can't take a shit game running the brand.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2006-03-26 11:02pm

Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:Well... the latest issue of PC Gamer US talked about an upcoming exclusive preview next month of (paraphrased) "a legendary RTS franchise returning after a long wait. No, not that one. The other one." They wouldn't say anything more, the bastards.

Did the new Duke Nukem' ever come out? You know, the one in Las Vegas.

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2006-03-26 11:04pm

Considering that Blizzard gave the PC fans the finger over Ghost, I could fucking care less if the game was never released.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-03-26 11:12pm

Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:Well... the latest issue of PC Gamer US talked about an upcoming exclusive preview next month of (paraphrased) "a legendary RTS franchise returning after a long wait. No, not that one. The other one." They wouldn't say anything more, the bastards.

One involving robots lobbing nuclear grenades into continent-sized scalable maps with little buzzy air units?

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2006-03-26 11:18pm

Nephtys wrote:
Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:Well... the latest issue of PC Gamer US talked about an upcoming exclusive preview next month of (paraphrased) "a legendary RTS franchise returning after a long wait. No, not that one. The other one." They wouldn't say anything more, the bastards.
One involving robots lobbing nuclear grenades into continent-sized scalable maps with little buzzy air units?

They already previewed Supreme Commander extensively, so unlikely. I just tossed it out there as it may be relevant. Could be C&C for all I know.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-03-26 11:42pm

Who cares? It would have sucked anyway. It's not like anyone cancelled something with merit.

Mad · Post by **Mad** » 2006-03-26 11:46pm

Nephtys wrote:
Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:Well... the latest issue of PC Gamer US talked about an upcoming exclusive preview next month of (paraphrased) "a legendary RTS franchise returning after a long wait. No, not that one. The other one." They wouldn't say anything more, the bastards.
One involving robots lobbing nuclear grenades into continent-sized scalable maps with little buzzy air units?

Supreme Commander isn't a part of the Total Annihilation franchise; I doubt TA is the returning franchise.

Vaporous · Post by **Vaporous** » 2006-03-27 12:07am

Let it go the way of Warcraft Adventure and vanish into the mists. Hopefully, they'll get to work on Starcraft 2.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2006-03-27 12:14am

I'm going out on a limb and guess that when StarCraft 2 comes out, its story will draw extensively from what was going to happen in SC Ghost, with its main character making huge impacts on events that occurred since the last game.

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2006-03-27 02:53am

The people responcible for the gems like, Starcraft, Warcraft series(excluding WoW), Diablo series mostly left Blizzard a whlie ago.

Post by **Vympel** » 2006-03-27 03:01am

When I saw the first footage of it in action, it looked like complete, utter shit. Never thought about it again.

In short, I'm not surprised.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-03-27 03:04am

First/Third Person Shooters need to be revolutionary to truely be noticed, or downright beautiful on the graphics. Half Life 2 is moddable, beautiful, and fun. Therefore, it's good. Halo was the first console FPS that was actually playable, with a good bit of polish and a nice universe.

Starcraft meanwhile, is just extra polish onthe already established Warcraft series, with new units and balance. Warcraft 3, is Starcraft +1, and with less lasers.

Ghost was looking like 'more of the same', on the TPS/FPS crowd really. Which is a Very Bad Thing(tm).

Post by **Vympel** » 2006-03-27 03:29am

I think Goldeneye on the N64 was the first playable console FPS, IMO. Halo only got undue praise because of console-people, who had never heard of this thing called a "LAN".

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-03-27 03:35am

Halo was the first console FPS that was actually playable

GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, do those ring any bells

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-03-27 03:40am

Bounty wrote:
Halo was the first console FPS that was actually playable
GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, do those ring any bells

They were awkward. You couldn't finely aim and move at the same time. Have fun shooting up. Most of the time, you had to sidestep targets into your reticule.

Post by **Vympel** » 2006-03-27 04:26am

Nephtys wrote:
They were awkward. You couldn't finely aim and move at the same time. Have fun shooting up. Most of the time, you had to sidestep targets into your reticule.

I thought the N64 controller worked fine for them- as good as any other console controller for the job, IMO. I don't see how the Xbox one could be significantly better.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-03-27 04:31am

Nephtys wrote:
Bounty wrote:
Halo was the first console FPS that was actually playable
GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, do those ring any bells
They were awkward. You couldn't finely aim and move at the same time. Have fun shooting up. Most of the time, you had to sidestep targets into your reticule.

That's if you're aiming with the C-buttons. Switch aiming to the stick and you've got a setup that's just as sensitive as a PC mouse/keyboard combo (analog aim/digital movement).

And FWIW, I grew up on console FPS's and the PC variant feels awkward to me. It's mostly due to lack of experience.

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2006-03-27 04:57am

Good, from the screenshots it looked like complete arse.