Ghost "Indefinatly postPoned - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pacaveli · 04-04-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

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.

i was looking forward to the mutliplayer on the still free online PS2, this pisses me off i was excited about this in 2002, and 4 years latter they shatter my dreams

Zeraph · 04-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Can't say I'm surprised. Too bad though, I really liked starcraft, much better than warcraft.

GoldenOuroboros · 04-06-2006, 11:40 PM

Mmm, I was looking forward to this as well.. Big shame, was following it for a while when I first saw the screens and then found out what it was about, a good stealth game, sounds right up my ally

But yeah.. this sucks

hulk · 04-07-2006, 01:01 AM

All those who didn't see this coming, raise your hands. Now go sit in the corner. Even after the canned the gamecube version because they thought that 'only those online will have the full experience' (so they made it for like 10% of xboxers and 5% of PS2 gamers *cough*) there was nothing that came out other than the odd screenshot (with dated graphics) and a pre-rendered cutscene (that had nothing really to do with any Ghosts). Oh, and a few preview builds that were scrapped. For shame, Blizzard, for shame. Do it in-house next time and do it right.

meepa · 04-07-2006, 08:40 AM

I remember when this was first announced. I thought, "Gosh will I actually need to get a console now?" Luckily that has been answered! "Of course not!"

I thought this game could have been pretty cool. When they were first giving us information on it, the graphics looked awesome, and the idea of playing StarCraft as an FPS was pretty appealing to me. If I recall correctly (and I probably don't), when they originally began design, it was meant to be a single-player experience only (i.e. heavy on story and action sequences). I didn't follow it very closely, but I remember at some point they were boasting about the multiplayer. After watching a gameplay trailer, I was shocked at how poor the MP component looked.

I guess this will teach Blizzard to never let anyone else touch one of their products. All I hope now is that they will announce StarCraft 2 and leave Ghost in the dust. E3 and Blizzcon are both coming up... hopefully they will announce something that DOESN'T have to do with World of Warcraft.

roadkill · 04-07-2006, 09:05 AM

Well that's too bad. I guess I did see it coming to this though.

Sigh good games seem to get shit thrown at them.

Lasereth · 04-07-2006, 09:17 AM

With 6,000,000 people playing World of Warcraft generating $1,000,000,000 (yes, one billion dollars) of revenue each year, I doubt a console game is what's on their minds right now.

damianjames · 05-03-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lasereth

With 6,000,000 people playing World of Warcraft generating $1,000,000,000 (yes, one billion dollars) of revenue each year, I doubt a console game is what's on their minds right now.

Personally, I think Starcraft would have been a better choice for an MMORPG. I still play WoW, I just wonder what it would be like to play a badass hydralisk kicking the crap out of some terran medic. Or an overlord... flying into a corner and staring at a wall... then again WoW isn't that bad!

As for SC:Ghost, my take on these things is if it gets pushed back more than once in early development, it's doomed. I've become a cynical old man when it comes to release date promises.

Pragma · 05-04-2006, 08:15 AM

Starcraft: Ghost - the new DNF? You heard it here first.

Coppertop · 05-04-2006, 08:31 AM

Some other instances of vaporware:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vaporwares

RIP, TF2.

Mr. Mojo · 05-04-2006, 08:44 AM

well, i'm crushed.
I enjoy FPS that take place in a world i already know, like <a target=new href="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/commandconquerrenegade/index.html">Command & Conquer: Renegade (LINK)</a>. I bought in the discount game section, and it was a blast.

04-06-2006, 11:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
GoldenOuroboros The Cheshire Grin... Location: An Aussie Outback	Mmm, I was looking forward to this as well.. Big shame, was following it for a while when I first saw the screens and then found out what it was about, a good stealth game, sounds right up my ally But yeah.. this sucks __________________ Can you see me grin grin grrriiiiinnnning?!

04-07-2006, 01:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
hulk C'mon, just blow it. Location: Perth, Australia	All those who didn't see this coming, raise your hands. Now go sit in the corner. Even after the canned the gamecube version because they thought that 'only those online will have the full experience' (so they made it for like 10% of xboxers and 5% of PS2 gamers cough) there was nothing that came out other than the odd screenshot (with dated graphics) and a pre-rendered cutscene (that had nothing really to do with any Ghosts). Oh, and a few preview builds that were scrapped. For shame, Blizzard, for shame. Do it in-house next time and do it right. __________________ "'There's a tendency among the press to attribute the creation of a game to a single person,' says Warren Spector, creator of Thief and Deus Ex." -- From an IGN game review.

04-07-2006, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	With 6,000,000 people playing World of Warcraft generating $1,000,000,000 (yes, one billion dollars) of revenue each year, I doubt a console game is what's on their minds right now. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

05-04-2006, 08:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	Starcraft: Ghost - the new DNF? You heard it here first. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

05-04-2006, 08:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	well, i'm crushed. I enjoy FPS that take place in a world i already know, like <a target=new href="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/commandconquerrenegade/index.html">Command & Conquer: Renegade (LINK)</a>. I bought in the discount game section, and it was a blast. __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

04-04-2006, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Can't say I'm surprised. Too bad though, I really liked starcraft, much better than warcraft.

04-07-2006, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
meepa Insane	I remember when this was first announced. I thought, "Gosh will I actually need to get a console now?" Luckily that has been answered! "Of course not!" I thought this game could have been pretty cool. When they were first giving us information on it, the graphics looked awesome, and the idea of playing StarCraft as an FPS was pretty appealing to me. If I recall correctly (and I probably don't), when they originally began design, it was meant to be a single-player experience only (i.e. heavy on story and action sequences). I didn't follow it very closely, but I remember at some point they were boasting about the multiplayer. After watching a gameplay trailer, I was shocked at how poor the MP component looked. I guess this will teach Blizzard to never let anyone else touch one of their products. All I hope now is that they will announce StarCraft 2 and leave Ghost in the dust. E3 and Blizzcon are both coming up... hopefully they will announce something that DOESN'T have to do with World of Warcraft.

04-07-2006, 09:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
roadkill Insane	Well that's too bad. I guess I did see it coming to this though. Sigh good games seem to get shit thrown at them.

05-04-2006, 08:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	Some other instances of vaporware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vaporwares RIP, TF2.