StarCraft
Military sci-fi franchise set in the Koprulu Sector.
StarCraft is a military science fiction media franchise created by Chris Metzen and James Phinney and owned by Blizzard Entertainment. Set in the late 25th century (specifically 2499), the series centers on a galactic struggle for dominance among three core species—the adaptable and mobile Terrans, the ever-evolving insectoid Zerg, and the powerful and enigmatic Protoss—in a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy known as the Koprulu Sector. The series debuted with the video game StarCraft in 1998 and has grown to include a number of other games, over a dozen novelizations, two Amazing Stories articles, a board game, and other licensed merchandise.
- field
- Video game franchise
- known_for
- Real-time strategy games set in the Koprulu Sector
- creators
- Chris Metzen and James Phinney
- owner
- Blizzard Entertainment
- first_release
- 1998
- total_revenue_by_2017
- Over $1 billion
Lore & Background
StarCraft introduced high quality cinematics integral to the storyline, building on Blizzard's existing cinematics department (which had previously produced cutscenes for Warcraft II). Most of the original development team returned to work on the expansion pack Brood War, which began development shortly after StarCraft was released. In 2016, a single-player campaign, Nova Covert Ops, was released as three separate mission packs throughout the year.
Reader's Guide
The StarCraft series has been praised as one of the benchmark real-time strategy games of its time. The original game and its expansion gathered a solid following around the world, particularly in South Korea, where professional players and teams participate in matches, earn sponsorships, and compete in televised matches. By June 2007, StarCraft and Brood War had sold nearly 10 million copies combined. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and its sequels obtained similar praise and sold very well. The story focuses on the activities of three species in the Koprulu Sector, beginning with the Terran Confederacy's fall and the rise of the Terran Dominion under Arcturus Mengsk, the betrayal of Sarah Kerrigan, and the subsequent conflicts involving the Zerg, Protoss, and a returning Earth fleet. The narrative continues through StarCraft II, where Jim Raynor forms Raynor's Raiders to overthrow Mengsk, and Kerrigan is restored to humanity before retaking control of the Zerg Swarm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created StarCraft?
StarCraft was developed by Chris Metzen and James Phinney and is owned by Blizzard Entertainment. It debuted in 1998 and became one of the studio's most iconic properties.
What are the four main species in StarCraft?
The franchise pits four factions against each other: adaptable human Terrans, insectoid Zerg, spiritually gifted Protoss, and the ancient godlike Xel'Naga. Each offers a completely different set of units and tactical approaches in the real-time strategy gameplay.
Where is StarCraft set?
All StarCraft stories take place in the Koprulu Sector, a far-flung corner of the Milky Way galaxy. The timeline begins in the early 26th century, during humanity's first tentative steps into that region of space.
When did the original StarCraft come out?
The first StarCraft launched in 1998 as a PC real-time strategy game. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon and laid the groundwork for the entire franchise that followed.
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