Blizzard: Growing-up Process--04-15-2008

1998 - StarCraft is released

StarCraft is a science fiction media franchise created by Chris Metzen and Bill Roper and owned by Blizzard Entertainment. The series centers on a galactic struggle for dominance between three species - the adaptable and mobile Terrans, the insectoid Zerg and the enigmatic Protoss - in a distant part of the Milky Way galaxy known as the Koprulu sector during the 26th century. With the first game, StarCraft, released in 1998, the series has grown to include a number of other games as well as eight novels, two Amazing Stories articles, a board game and other licensed merchandise such as collectable statues and toys.

The original game and its official expansion Brood War have been praised as one of the benchmark real-time strategy games of its time, gathering a solid following across world, particularly in South Korea where professional players and teams participate in matches, earn sponsorships, and compete in televised matches. As of May 31, 2007, StarCraft and Brood War combined have sold almost 10 million copies.

StarCraft Adventures

StarCraft Adventures is an Alternity game system table-top role-playing game set in Blizzard Entertainment's popular StarCraft universe. It uses a simplified "fast play" rules rather than the full Alternity rule set.

Jul 31, 1998 - The first add-on pack for StarCraft

Insurrection is the first add-on pack for StarCraft. Although developed and published by Aztech New Media it is authorised by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released on PC on 31 July 1998.

The expansion's story focuses on a Confederate colony during the course of the first campaign of StarCraft. As in StarCraft, the player takes control of each race in three separate campaigns. In the first campaign, Terran colonists attempt to defend themselves from the Zerg invasion of the sector as well as from a rising insurgency, while in the second campaign the player directs a Protoss task force sent to clear the Zerg infestation of the colony by any means necessary. In the final campaign the player assumes the role of a Zerg cerebrate, moving to crush all opposition on the surface. The expansion only contains new campaigns and multiplayer maps, it does not include new content such as units and graphical terrain tilesets. Insurrection was criticised by reviewers for lacking the quality of the original game and as a result of its lack of success, it is not widely available. Although the add-on is authorised by Blizzard Entertainment, they offer no comment on support or availability of the game.