World of Starcraft? Not So Much

The rumours have been swirling since last night, when MMOG discussion site F13 posted the surprising news that Blizzard plans to make MMOGs of Starcraft and Diablo. Turns out that while the possibility still exists, that's not exactly accurate. The CessPit has some of the slides from Vivendi's presentation, (courtesy of SirBruce). The last of these would seem to show the mere possibility (not confirmation) of expansion into the Massive and console markets for the company's intellectual properties. However, this is coupled with a flat denial by lead designer Rob Pardo: "Nothing in that rumor is true in regards to Blizzard. If I had to guess, there was some confusion between what Vivendi has planned for its game division versus what Blizzard has planned. While Blizzard is owned by Vivendi, their game division operates separately from Blizzard." So, while not out of the question, I find it unlikely we'll be hearing about World of Starcraft any time soon.

Comments

Ghost

[freakboy9]

Getting Starcraft Ghost out the door first would seem a priorty. Besides, WOW seems to work so well; whould going into MMO competition with yourself (Blizzard) work?

Game industry is funny

[From A Far Away Land]

Is the software industry in general prone to rumours, or are games primarily afflicted? It must be hard for a news site, having no confirmations to work from, and instead either being left behind, sticking their neck out, or getting a lucky tip from an insider.

Pssst, I heard that the Star Control sequel will feature Duke Nukem caught in a world of Orcs, blasting his way out in a massive Counterstrike against the enemy. Better still, it will run on Windows Vista when it's released too.

Thank heavens

[Umbral Blot]

I am really glad there will be no "world of Diablo". Trying to fit all games into an online model forces them to be basically all versions of the same game (all the same run around-kill-collect-level model of game play). Much of the variety in the single player experience for example can't be carried over into multi-player because it would be too unbalanced (just to name one example).

Re:Message to Blizzard re: WoS:

[T0wner]

These kind fo rumours have been flying around since WoW sales went throguh the roof. The reality of it is that Blizzard are still struggling maintaining is enormous WoW user base. The first expansion hasn't been released yet. Blizzard have stated that at the game development heart they remaina small company focussing on high quality products.

We probably will see WoS or WoD in the future but not while WoW continues as it currently is.

Still one Starcraft version missing

[Midnight Thunder]

While it could be interesting to see World of Starcraft, there is still one version of Starcraft that is reaching Duke Nukem status: Starcraft: Ghost.

Re:Still one Starcraft version missing

[MBGMorden]

Last I heard, Starcraft: Ghost had been postponed "indefinately". IOW, it was cancelled. Not the first time Blizzard has done this (anyone remember "Warcraft Adventures"?).

April Fool

[giafly]

Seems this rumour was an April Fool joke

Starcraft Galaxies?

[KFury]

'World of Starcraft' sounds a little limiting for a space-based adventure game. Like calling your mmorpg bass fishing simulator 'desert strike'.

Ooh... mmorpg bass fishing...

Domains of Diablo

[charlieman]

DoD :D

No more MMO's..

[Venim]

We want starcraft 2 not world of starcraft or starcraft: ghost..