List of StarCraft media explained

StarCraft is a science fiction media franchise made up of real-time strategy video games developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. The series has several games which carry the main story arc: StarCraft, its expansion pack , and the trilogy StarCraft II. In addition, the series incorporates media that include spin-off video games, tabletop games, novelizations, graphic novels, and other literature. A variety of toys have also been produced.[1] Set in the 26th century, the series revolves around three species fighting for dominance in a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy: the Terrans, humans exiled from Earth who are adept at conforming to any situation; the Zerg, a race of insectoids obsessed with the pursuit of genetic perfection through the assimilation of other races; and the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psionic abilities attempting to preserve from the Zerg both their civilization and strict philosophical way of living.[2]

Conceived by Chris Metzen and James Phinney, the StarCraft series has been a commercial and critical success. The first game, StarCraft, is regarded as being highly influential in the real-time strategy genre. Combined with its official expansion, Brood War, over 10 million copies of StarCraft have been sold globally.[3] StarCraft remains one of the most popular online games in the world; Blizzard Entertainment reported an 800 percent increase in Battle.net service usage after the game's release in 1998.[4] The original StarCraft and its expansion are particularly popular in South Korea, where a successful eSports scene has been established.[5]

Games

Video games

GameRelease date
North AmericaPAL region
StarCraft31 March 1998[6] 31 March 1998
31 July 1998[12] 31 July 1998
  • Authorized add-on for StarCraft, developed by Aztech New Media[13]
  • Side story based around a minor planet in the series' backstory
Late 1998[14] Late 1998
  • Authorized add-on for StarCraft, developed by Stardock and published by WizardWorks
  • Side story set around the retrieval of a powerful and ancient artifact
30 November 1998[15] March 1999[16]
  • Official expansion pack to StarCraft, developed by Blizzard Entertainment and Saffire and released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS
  • Game events continue from directly after the original game
  • Enhanced the gameplay balance of StarCraft; is used as the base for electronic sports with StarCraft
StarCraft 6413 June 2000[17] 16 June 2000
July 27, 2010[20] July 27, 2010
  • Developed by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows and Mac OS X[21]
  • Continues story from four years after Brood War[22]
  • Intended as a first part of trilogy, and the title will be focusing on the story of Terrans[23]
March 12, 2013March 12, 2013
  • Developed by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows and Mac OS X
  • Intended as a second part of trilogy, and will be the title focusing on the story of Zerg
November 10, 2015November 10, 2015
  • Being developed by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows and Mac OS X
  • Intended as a third part of trilogy, and will be the title focusing on the story of Protoss
CancelledCancelled

Other games

GameRelease dateMedia type
StarCraft AdventuresJuly 2000[28] Role-playing game
  • Tabletop game based on the Alternity game system
October 2007Board game

Soundtracks

TitleRelease dateLengthLabel
StarCraft: Game Music Vol. 1January 200056:49Net Vision Entertainment
  • Composed predominantly of tracks inspired by StarCraft and produced by South Korean DJs; a small number of original game tracks composed by Glenn Stafford, Derek Duke, Jason Hayes and Tracy W. Bush were included[31]
  • Discontinued, previously sold through Blizzard Entertainment's online store
StarCraft Original Soundtrack10 August 200863:34Azeroth Music
  • Comprises tracks composed by Glen Stafford, Derek Duke, Jason Hayes and Tracy W. Bush for in-game themes and cut scenes[32]
  • Released online through iTunes[33]

Printed media

TitleRelease dateISBNMedia type
StarCraft: Revelations29 March 1999—Short story
  • Written by Chris Metzen and Sam Moore; published in Amazing Stories magazine
  • Accompanying artwork art by Samwise Didier featured on the cover of Amazing Stories[34]
StarCraft: HybridSecond quarter of 2000—Short story
  • Written by Micky Neilson and published in Amazing Stories magazine[35]
  • Accompanied by artwork by Samwise Didier
StarCraft: Uprising18 December 2000Novelization
  • Written by Micky Neilson and published by Simon & Schuster, originally only available as an e-book[36]
  • Prequel to StarCraft, focusing on the origins of Sarah Kerrigan
StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade1 March 2001Novelization
  • Written by Jeff Grubb and published by Simon & Schuster[37]
  • Adaptation of the first campaign in StarCraft
StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga1 July 2001Novelization
  • Written by Gabriel Mesta and published by Simon & Schuster[38]
  • Set between StarCraft and Brood War, focusing on the discovery of Xel'Naga artifacts
StarCraft: Speed of Darkness1 June 2002Novelization
  • Written by Tracy Hickman and published by Simon & Schuster[39]
  • Side story set in the first campaign in StarCraft, focusing on the lives of individual Confederate marines
StarCraft: Queen of Blades1 June 2006Novelization
  • Written by Aaron S. Rosenberg and published by Simon & Schuster[40]
  • Adaptation of the second campaign in StarCraft
StarCraft Ghost: Nova28 November 2006Novelization
  • Written by Keith R.A. DeCandido and published by Simon & Schuster[41]
  • Set during the first campaign in StarCraft, focuses on the origins of Nova
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #1: Firstborn22 May 2007Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[42]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, focusing on excavation of Xel'Naga artifacts and Protoss history
The StarCraft Archive13 November 2007Anthology
  • Collection of early StarCraft novels, published by Simon & Schuster[43]
  • Consists of Uprising, Liberty's Crusade, Shadow of the Xel'Naga and Speed of Darkness
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters27 November 2007Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[44]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, continuation of storyline begun in Firstborn
StarCraft: FrontlineAugust 2008Graphic novel
  • Written by Richard A. Knaak and published by Tokyopop[45]
  • An anthology of short stories set before StarCraft II exploring the viewpoints of the three main species
StarCraft: I, Mengsk30 December 2008Novelization
  • Written by Graham McNeill and published by Simon & Schuster[46]
  • Focuses on the origins of characters in the Mengsk family: Angus Mengsk, Arcturus Mengsk and Valerian Mengsk
StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight30 June 2009Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden and published by Simon & Schuster[47]
  • Prequel to StarCraft II, concludes the story arc of The Dark Templar Saga
StarCraft: Ghost Academy1 February 2010 [48] Graphic novel
  • Written by Keith R.A. DeCandido with art by Fernando Heinz Furukawa and published by Tokyopop
  • David Gerrold authored Spanish version
  • Focuses on the training of Nova as an espionage agent
  • Two sequential volumes published in February 2010 and March 2011
StarCraft Ghost: Spectres27 September 2011Novelization
  • Written by Nate Kenyon and published by the Pocket Books division of Simon & Schuster[49]
  • Sequel to StarCraft Ghost: Nova
StarCraft: Evolution8 November 2016Novelization
  • Written by Timothy Zahn
  • Published by Del Rey
  • Audiobook narrated by Christopher Ryan Grant and published by Random House Audio
Heaven's Devil's (Starcraft II #1)6 April 2010Novelization
  • Written by William C. Dietz
  • Published by Gallery Books
  • Audiobook
Devil's Due (Starcraft II #2)12 April 2011Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden
  • Published by Gallery
  • Audiobook
Flashpoint (Starcraft II #3)6 November 2012Novelization
  • Written by Christie Golden
  • Published by Simon & Schuster
  • Audiobook

Other media

TitleRelease dateMedia type
StarCraft Battle Chest31 December 1999[50] Video game compilation
StarCraft Cinematics DVDFirst quarter of 2001Cinematic cut scene collection
Heroes of the Storm2 June 2015[53] Video game
  • Developed by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows and Mac OS X
  • The game features over 15 characters from the StarCraft universe as playable heroes, as well as two Starcraft-themed battlegrounds: Braxis Holdout and Warhead Junction.[54]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Blizzard tackles toys. IGN. 1998-11-22. 2008-11-02.
  2. Web site: The Story So Far: Part 1: StarCraft. Blizzard Entertainment. 2007-11-21. 2007-11-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20071123100044/http://eu.starcraft2.com/features/storysofar.xml. 2007-11-23. dead.
  3. Web site: South Korean gamers get a sneak peek at 'StarCraft II' . 2008-08-26 . Olsen, Kelly . 2007-05-21 . USA Today.
  4. Web site: Blizzard's Battle.net Remains Largest Online Game Service in the World; Battle.net Dominates Online Gaming Industry With 2.1 Million Active Users; Korea Becomes World's No. 1 Market . Business Wire . CBS Interactive . 1999-02-04 . 2008-07-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080115192027/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_4/ai_53706429 . 2008-01-15 .
  5. Web site: Ki-tae, Kim. Will StarCraft Survive Next 10 Years?. . 2005-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191427/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/news_view.asp?newsIdx=2582126. dead. September 27, 2007. 2008-08-26.
  6. Web site: StarCrafts 10-Year Anniversary: A Retrospective . . 2008-03-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402134120/http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/10-years-starcraft.html . 2008-04-02 .
  7. Web site: The Greatest Games of All Time . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 1998 . 2008-09-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090717041425/http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-5.html . 2009-07-17 .
  8. Web site: Rossignol, Jim . Sex, Fame and PC Baangs: How the Orient plays host to PC gaming's strangest culture . . 2005-04-01 . 2006-08-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060202060802/http://rossignol.cream.org/?p=284 . 2006-02-02 .
  9. Web site: IGN's Top 100 Games . . 2005-01-01 . 2006-08-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228044210/http://top100.ign.com/2005/001-010.html . 2015-02-28 . dead .
  10. Web site: IGN Top 100 Games 2007 #11: StarCraft . . 2008-10-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071202192343/http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_11.html . 2007-12-02 .
  11. Web site: StarCraft for MAC . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 2008-04-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110905174902/http://uk.gamespot.com/mac/strategy/starcraft/index.html . 2011-09-05 .
  12. Web site: Insurrection: Campaigns for StarCraft for PC . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110908013925/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/insurrectioncampaignsfs/index.html . 2011-09-08 .
  13. Web site: Official StarCraft FAQ at Battle.net . 2008-08-26 . Battle.net . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080801024729/http://www.battle.net/scc/FAQ/general.shtml . 2008-08-01 .
  14. Web site: Preview: StarCraft: Brood War. Elliott. Chin. GameSpot. CNET Networks. https://web.archive.org/web/20030622030536/http://www.gamespot.com/features/gs/broodwar/index.html. 2003-06-22. 2008-04-17.
  15. Web site: StarCraft: Brood War for MAC . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 2007-11-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111030161639/http://uk.gamespot.com/mac/strategy/starcraftbroodwar/index.html . 2011-10-30 .
  16. Web site: StarCraft: Brood War for PC . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 2008-10-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081201121259/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraftexpansionsetbw/index.html . 2008-12-01 .
  17. Web site: StarCraft 64 . . 2008-04-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090121070202/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/objects/003/003894.html . 2009-01-21 .
  18. Web site: StarCraft Needs Some Expansion. IGN. 1999-11-16. 2006-08-19. 2012-04-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20120417113704/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/072/072204p1.html. dead.
  19. Web site: StarCraft 64 for Nintendo 64 Review . Fielder, Joe . 12 June 2000 . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . 2008-01-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090202120103/http://uk.gamespot.com/n64/strategy/starcraft64/review.html?tag=tabs%3Breviews . 2 February 2009 .
  20. Web site: 2010-05-03. 2010-05-16. Blizzard Entertainment. STARCRAFT II: WINGS OF LIBERTY IN STORES STARTING JULY 27, 2010.
  21. Web site: Press release: StarCraft II unveiled . Blizzard Entertainment . 2007-05-19 . 2007-05-19.
  22. Web site: Blizzard outlines StarCraft II gameplay . Park, Andrew . . CNET Networks . 2007-05-20 . 2007-08-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080706111530/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171178.html . 2008-07-06 .
  23. Web site: Blizzcon 08: StarCraft II Split Into Three Games. IGN. Vasconcellos, Eduardo . Ocampo, Jason . 2008-10-10. 2008-10-16.
  24. Web site: Press Release . 2002-09-20 . . StarCraft: Ghost . https://web.archive.org/web/20021004122855/http://www.blizzard.com/ghost/pressrelease.shtml . 2002-10-04 . 2008-04-16 . dead .
  25. Web site: Blizzard Taps Swingin' Ape to work on StarCraft: Ghost. GameSpy. Van Autrijve, Rainier. 2004-07-07. 2008-04-16.
  26. Vaporware: Better Late Than Never. Wired News. CondéNet. Kahney, Leander. 2015-08-15. 2014-09-23.
  27. Web site: Blizzard cancels its next-gen MMO Titan after seven years. Polygon. 2015-08-15. 2014-09-23.
  28. Web site: Alternity StarCraft Books. TSR, Inc. Alternity. 2008-10-01.
  29. Web site: StarCraft . . 2008-09-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080602210208/http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/starcraft.html . 2008-06-02 .
  30. Web site: Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design . . 2008-06-28 . 2008-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080418005900/http://www.originsgamefair.com/aagad . 2008-04-18 . dead .
  31. Web site: StarCraft: Game Music Vol. 1. Game OST. 2008-04-22. 2012-07-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20120723001221/http://www.game-ost.com/info.php?id=450. dead.
  32. Web site: StarCraft Original Soundtrack . . 2007-09-04 . 2008-10-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080224152329/http://www.music4games.net/Review_Display.aspx?id=94 . 2008-02-24 .
  33. Web site: Blizzard Entertainment Soundtracks Now On iTunes . . 2008-09-14 . 2008-10-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080912105802/http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/080904.html . 2008-09-12 .
  34. Web site: StarCraft is an Amazing Story. . 1999-03-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20020221021220/http://pc.ign.com/articles/067/067452p1.html. dead. February 21, 2002. 2008-08-26.
  35. Web site: Amazing Stories Issue #601 . . Amazing Stories . 2008-09-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110809125644/http://paizo.com/amazing/products/issues/v5748btpy7357%26source%3Drss . 2011-08-09 .
  36. Web site: StarCraft: Uprising (eBook) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605035024/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=479861 . 2008-06-05 .
  37. Web site: StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605035014/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=411112 . 2008-06-05 .
  38. Web site: StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605035018/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=411113 . 2008-06-05 .
  39. Web site: StarCraft: Speed of Darkness (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402053219/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=411114 . 2008-04-02 .
  40. Web site: StarCraft: Queen of Blades (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605035030/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=517558 . 2008-06-05 .
  41. Web site: StarCraft Ghost: Nova (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402053230/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=516059 . 2008-04-02 .
  42. Web site: StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #1: Firstborn (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080401070625/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=533882 . 2008-04-01 .
  43. Web site: The StarCraft Archive: An Anthology (Trade Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402053242/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=584839 . 2008-04-02 .
  44. Web site: StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402053248/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=619761 . 2008-04-02 .
  45. Web site: StarCraft: Frontline Manga . . 2008-11-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005419/http://uk.comics.ign.com/objects/142/14285696.html . 2011-07-13 .
  46. Web site: StarCraft: I, Mengsk (Mass Market Paperback) . Simon & Schuster . 2008-09-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090226173010/http://books.simonandschuster.com/9781416550839 . 2009-02-26 .
  47. Web site: StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight (Mass Market Paperback) . . 2008-09-07 .
  48. Web site: New York Comic Con 2008 - Tokyopop Starcraft: Frontline, Starcraft: Ghost Academy, Warcraft Legends & Warcraft: Dragons of Outla . Blizzplanet . Blizzard Entertainment . 2008-04-21 . 2008-08-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080510113742/http://blizzplanet.com/news/2319/ . 2008-05-10 . dead .
  49. Web site: StarCraft Ghost: Nova Pocket Book Sequel . 2012-01-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203070416/http://books.simonandschuster.com/StarCraft-Ghost-Spectres/Nate-Kenyon/Starcraft/9781439172759 . 2013-12-03 .
  50. Web site: StarCraft Battle Chest. https://web.archive.org/web/20051114064622/http://pc.ign.com/objects/767/767547.html. dead. November 14, 2005. IGN. 2008-10-01.
  51. Web site: StarCraft Battle Chest . . 2008-10-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081211134754/http://www.blizzard.com/us/starcraftbc/ . 2008-12-11 .
  52. Web site: StarCraft DVD offer . https://archive.today/20130124075942/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft/news.html?sid=2708620&mode=news . dead . 2013-01-24 . GameSpot (UK) . CNET Networks . Trey . Walker . 2008-04-17 . 2008-09-30 .
  53. Web site: Heroes of the Storm Patch Notes – June 2, 2015. Blizzard Entertainment. 2019-09-02.
  54. Heroes of the Storm is getting swarmed by StarCraft stuff this month. PC Gamer. July 16, 2018.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of StarCraft media".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.