View source for Software:StarCraft II

{{short description|Military science fiction video game}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = StarCraft II
| image =
| caption = A logo variant for ''StarCraft II''
| genre = [[Software:Real-time strategy|Real-time strategy]]
| developer = [[Company:Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard Entertainment]]
| publisher = Blizzard Entertainment
| creator = {{unbulleted list|Dustin Browder|Chris Metzen|Samwise Didier}}
| platforms = {{unbulleted list|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]|[[Software:MacOS|macOS]]}}
| first release version = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''
| first release date = {{start date|2010|7|27}}
| latest release version = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''
| latest release date = {{start date|2016|11|22}}
}}
'''''StarCraft II''''' is a [[Software:Real-time strategy|real-time strategy]] [[Engineering:Video game|video game]] created by [[Company:Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard Entertainment]], first released in 2010. A sequel to the successful ''[[Software:StarCraft (video game)|StarCraft]]'', released in 1998, it is set in a militaristic far future. The narrative centers on a galactic struggle for dominance among various races.

''StarCraft II'' single-player campaign is split into three installments, each of which focuses on one of the three races: ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'' (released in 2010), ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm|Heart of the Swarm]]'' (2013) and ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void|Legacy of the Void]]'' (2015).<ref name="StarCraft II split into trilogy">{{cite web|access-date=2008-10-10|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/news.html?sid=6199172&mode=news|title= StarCraft II split into trilogy |publisher=GameSpot|date=2008-10-10}}</ref> A final campaign pack called ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]'' was released in 2016.

''StarCraft II'' [[Software:Multiplayer video game|multi-player gameplay]] spawned a separate esports competition that later drew interest from companies other than Blizzard, and attracted attention in South Korea and elsewhere, similar to the original ''StarCraft'' esports.

Since 2017, ''StarCraft II'' [[Software:Multiplayer video game|multi-player mode]], co-op mode and the first single-player campaign have been [[Finance:Free-to-play|free-to-play]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=StarCraft II Free to Play |url=https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/article/27,568 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Blizzard Support |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Story==
The story of ''StarCraft II'' continues on the story of the original ''StarCraft'' releases, dealing with the races of StarCraft and characters of StarCraft.

''Wings of Liberty'' is set four years after the events of ''[[Software:StarCraft: Brood War]]'', and focuses on the conflict between Jim Raynor's rebel faction and the Terran Dominion regime led by its emperor, Arcturus Mengsk. The Zerg reappear as a frequent menace, though Raynor ultimately recovers their incapacitated queen Sarah Kerrigan from the Zerg home world.

In ''Heart of the Swarm'', the Dominion attacks Raynor and Kerrigan, and the story mainly follows Kerrigan's exploits against Mengsk's forces as well as the newly emerged Protoss-Zerg hybrids.

In ''Legacy of the Void'', the Protoss are the protagonists, led by Zeratul and Artanis, fighting against the architect of the Protoss-Zerg hybrids, the malevolent being known as Amon. In a short epilogue after the end of ''Legacy of the Void'', all three factions join to confront Amon inside the Void. 

''Nova Covert Ops'' takes place sometime after Amon's final defeat, and follows the ghost operative Nova as she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the reformed Terran Dominion.

==Games==
{{Video game timeline
| 2010 = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''
| 2013 = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''
| 2015 = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''
| 2016 = ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''
}}

''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'' was released in 2010, taking place four years after the end of [[Software:StarCraft: Brood War]]. Two expansions, ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm|Heart of the Swarm]]'' and ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void|Legacy of the Void]]'' (both currently stand alone games), were planned from the beginning; the former was released in 2013 and the latter was released in 2015.<ref name=thevoidrelease>{{cite news|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/starcraft-2-legacy-of-the-void-release-date-and-opening-revealed/ |title=''StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void'' release date and opening revealed |date=September 13, 2015 |work=PC Gamer |first=Tom |last=Sykes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916164021/http://www.pcgamer.com/starcraft-2-legacy-of-the-void-release-date-and-opening-revealed/ |archive-date=September 16, 2015 }}</ref>

All the games in the main series are [[Software:Real-time strategy|real-time strategy games]],<ref name="SC2 GameSpot summary">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/index.html |title=''StarCraft II'' for PC |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828235757/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/index.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> where the player views the events as a military commander for each of the three species.

''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'' is the official sequel to ''StarCraft'' released for Windows and [[Software:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]] by Blizzard Entertainment on July 27, 2010. The game was announced at the Worldwide Invitational in South Korea on May 19, 2007 with a pre-rendered cinematic cut scene trailer and a gameplay demonstration of the Protoss.<ref name="ign1">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/788/788627p1.html |title=Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational – The ''StarCraft 2'' Announcement |author=Onyett, Charles |website=IGN |date=May 18, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914171954/http://pc.ign.com/articles/788/788627p1.html |archive-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="gamespot1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171170.html |title=''Starcraft II'' warps into Seoul |author=Park, Andrew |website=GameSpot |date=May 18, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202123438/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171170.html |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref> Further demonstrations regarding the game's new features have been showcased at subsequent BlizzCons and other games conventions.<ref name="gamespotpardo">{{cite video|title=''StarCraft II'' Under Construction |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/video/6176222/starcraft-ii-single-player-campaign-blizzcon-preview |medium=Development commentary |publisher=GameSpot |people=Pardo, Rob |location=Blizzcon |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205170918/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/video/6176222/starcraft-ii-single-player-campaign-blizzcon-preview |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref> The game incorporates a new 3D graphics engine and adds new features such as the [[Company:Havok|Havok]] [[Software:Physics engine|physics engine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.havok.com/content/view/371/53/ | title=Blizzard Entertainment Licenses Havok Physics Technology | date=September 14, 2006 | publisher=[[Company:Havok|Havok]] | access-date=August 26, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071130034100/http://www.havok.com/content/view/371/53/ |archive-date = November 30, 2007}}</ref> ''StarCraft II'' also incorporates DirectX 10 level effects in Windows.<ref name="officialfaq">{{cite web |title=FAQ for ''StarCraft II'' |url=http://www.starcraft2.com/faq.xml |publisher=Blizzard Entertainment |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913154128/http://www.starcraft2.com/faq.xml |archive-date=September 13, 2008 }}</ref> Originally envisioned as a single game, ''StarCraft II'' was split into three parts during development, one for focusing on each race. The base game, ''Wings of Liberty'', follows the Terrans, while two expansion packs, ''Heart of the Swarm'' and ''Legacy of the Void'', have been released to complement ''Wings of Liberty'' and further the story from the views of the Zerg and Protoss, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=11226742562&sid=3000 |title=StarCraft II Trilogy FAQ |last=Yu |first=Kevin |date=October 14, 2008 |publisher=StarCraft II Battle.net Forum |access-date=November 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018064047/http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=11226742562&sid=3000 |archive-date=October 18, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/918/918895p1.html |title=Blizzcon 08: StarCraft II Split Into Three Games |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |author2=Eduardo Vasconcellos |date=October 10, 2008 |website=IGN |access-date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012172655/http://pc.ign.com/articles/918/918895p1.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/starcraft-2/918896p1.html |title=StarCraft II is Now a Trilogy |last=Rausch |first=Allen |date=October 10, 2008 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014032412/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/starcraft-2/918896p1.html |archive-date=October 14, 2008 }}</ref> The story of ''Wings of Liberty'' continues from four years after the conclusion of ''Brood War'' and revolves around Jim Raynor's struggles against the Terran Dominion.<ref name="gamespot3">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171178.html |title=Blizzard outlines ''StarCraft II'' gameplay |author=Park, Andrew |website=GameSpot |date=May 20, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706111530/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171178.html |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }}</ref>

''[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]'' is an expansion pack to ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'' and was released on March 12, 2013. It is part two of the ''StarCraft II'' trilogy. The expansion includes additional units and multiplayer changes from Wings of Liberty, as well as a continuing campaign focusing on Kerrigan and the Zerg race. It spans 27 missions (20 main missions and 7 side missions).

The saga of ''StarCraft'' is ultimately completed with ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]'', which was released on November 10, 2015. ''StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void'' is a stand-alone game in which new units are added to all three races as well as changing existing units, and also makes groundbreaking changes to the economy-aspect of the game. The story of ''StarCraft'' is concluded by following the Protoss Race in their quest to reclaim their homeworld and for Kerrigan to ultimately slay the greatest threat to the entire universe. The game is divided into a 3-mission prologue, a 19-mission main story campaign, and a 3-mission epilogue that wraps everything up.

At BlizzCon 2015, during the "Future of StarCraft II" presentation, it was revealed that Blizzard will release additional mission packs to keep players engaged with ''StarCraft II''.<ref name="vg247nova">{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/11/06/starcraft-2-mission-packs-to-keep-players-engaged-after-legacy-of-the-void-release/ |title=StarCraft 2 – Nova Covert Ops mission packs coming in 2016 |work=VG247.com |first=Stephany |last=Nunneley |date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=November 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110174948/http://www.vg247.com/2015/11/06/starcraft-2-mission-packs-to-keep-players-engaged-after-legacy-of-the-void-release/ |archive-date=November 10, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/blizzcon-starcraft-iis-future-after-legacy-of-the-void |title=BlizzCon: StarCraft II's future after Legacy of the Void |work=PCGamesN |first=Chris |last=Higgins |date=November 7, 2015 |access-date=November 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213064450/http://www.pcgamesn.com/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/blizzcon-starcraft-iis-future-after-legacy-of-the-void |archive-date=December 13, 2015 }}</ref> The ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops|Nova Covert Ops]]'' mission pack consists of three episodes, with a total of nine new missions. It did not require the purchase of ''StarCraft II'' and could be played with the Starter Edition. The release date for the first episode was March 29, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/starcraft-2-nova-covert-ops-begins-march-30/? |title=Starcraft 2: Nova Covert Ops begins March 30 |first=Angus |last=Morrison |work=PC Gamer |date=March 16, 2016 |access-date=March 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318084115/http://www.pcgamer.com/starcraft-2-nova-covert-ops-begins-march-30/ |archive-date=March 18, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/06/blizzcon-2015-starcraft-2-nova-covert-ops-revealed-for-2016 |title=BlizzCon 2015: StarCraft 2: Nova Covert Ops Revealed for 2016 |first=Mitch |last=Dyer |date=November 6, 2015 |work=IGN |access-date=November 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122201947/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/06/blizzcon-2015-starcraft-2-nova-covert-ops-revealed-for-2016 |archive-date=November 22, 2015 }}</ref>
At the same time, Blizzard has announced that new commanders are planned to be added to the Co-Op mode in Legacy of the Void as a DLC,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lockerdome.com/6660497609198145/8306709047295764|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204092606/https://lockerdome.com/6660497609198145/8306709047295764|url-status=dead|title=SC2: Legacy Of The Void Adds New Co-Op Commander|archive-date=February 4, 2016}}</ref> with Karax to be the first addition given for free.

==Development==
''StarCraft II'' was announced on May 19, 2007, nearly a decade after the original, at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in [[Place:Seoul|Seoul]], South Korea.<ref name="ign1" /><ref name="gamespot1" /> ''StarCraft II'' was being developed, under the codename ''Medusa'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/starcraft-2-codename-trivia-277665.php |title=''StarCraft 2'' Codename Trivia |website=Kotaku |date=July 12, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530022155/http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/starcraft-2-codename-trivia-277665.php |archive-date=May 30, 2008 }}</ref> for concurrent release on [[Software:Windows XP|Windows XP]], [[Software:Windows Vista|Windows Vista]] and [[Software:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]]. Blizzard announced a release date for July 27, 2010.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite news|author=Kalning, Kristin |title=Can Blizzard top itself with ''StarCraft II''? |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18925251 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227100430/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18925251/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |publisher=NBC News |date=May 31, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2008 }}</ref> Development on the game began in 2003, shortly after ''[[Software:Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne]]'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 31, 2008 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/790/790158p1.html |title=StarCraft 2 Panel Discussions |website=IGN |date=May 19, 2007 |author=Onyett, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705145947/http://pc.ign.com/articles/790/790158p1.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref>

==Music==
The soundtrack for ''StarCraft II'' was provided by Derek Duke, Glenn Stafford, Neal Acree, and Russell Brower.<ref>{{cite web|title=StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty |url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-wings-of-liberty.html |access-date=May 22, 2017 |website=www.blizzard.com |publisher=Blizzard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619133426/http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-wings-of-liberty.html |archive-date=June 19, 2017 }}</ref>

Brower, Blizzard's Director of Audio, has suggested that the music of ''StarCraft'' serves two functions: the music heard during gameplay is designed to be unobtrusive in order to allow the player to focus, with only the music that attaches to the cinematic interludes permitted to become more distinctive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/9762739|title=The Music of Mists: an Interview with Russell Brower|access-date=May 22, 2017|website=www.worldofwarcraft.com|publisher=Blizzard}}</ref> Brower has also pointed out that certain musical themes in ''StarCraft II'' become associated with certain characters,<ref name="Blizzard">{{cite web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/9762739|title=The Music of Mists: an Interview with Russell Brower|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=May 22, 2017|website=www.worldofwarcraft.com|publisher=Blizzard}}</ref> a technique borrowed from composers such as John Williams and Richard Wagner.

The original material for the ''Wings of Liberty'' soundtrack spans approximately four hours. Brower has said in interviews that his team was consciously seeking a film-score feel for ''StarCraft II''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sound-byte-the-music-and-sounds-of-starcraft-ii/1100-6273407/ |title=Sound Byte: The Music and Sounds of Starcraft II |access-date=May 22, 2017 |website=www.gamespot.com |publisher=Gamespot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514005348/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sound-byte-the-music-and-sounds-of-starcraft-ii/1100-6273407/ |archive-date=May 14, 2016 }}</ref> In a short commentary provided for Blizzard, he recounted that the orchestral music for ''StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty'' was performed by 78 members of the San Francisco Symphony and Opera and recorded at the Skywalker stage at the Lucasfilm Ranch in Marin County, California, under the name 'Skywalker Symphony Orchestra', conducted by Eímear Noone. Brower also recalled the use of a 32-voice choir in Seattle, Washington. Both these recording sessions were mixed by John Kurlander, who had previously worked on Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings'' and The Beatles' ''Abbey Road''.<ref name="StarCraft soundtrack">{{cite web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-wings-of-liberty.html |title=StarCraft soundtrack |access-date=May 22, 2017 |website=www.blizzard.com |publisher=Blizzard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619133426/http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-wings-of-liberty.html |archive-date=June 19, 2017 }}</ref> The Terran country and blues pieces were recorded at Dreamland studio in Woodstock, New York and performed by members of Peter Gabriel's band, including bassist Tony Levin and drummer Jerry Marotta. Remaining pieces were recorded at the Blizzard studios, performed by musicians such as Laurence Juber (formerly of Wings) and Tommy Morgan.<ref name="StarCraft soundtrack"/> The soundtrack also contains John Bacchus Dykes and William Whiting's hymn ''Eternal Father, Strong to Save'' (1860).<ref name="StarCraft soundtrack"/>

The orchestral music for ''Heart of the Swarm'' was likewise recorded in Marin County, again with the services of Kurlander and Noone, with 80 performers from the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-heart-of-the-swarm.html |title=StarCraft soundtrack |access-date=May 22, 2017 |website=www.blizzard.com |publisher=Blizzard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619160952/http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/music/sc2-heart-of-the-swarm.html |archive-date=June 19, 2017 }}</ref>

Brower stated in an interview in 2013 that he intended to continue the process of associative musical themes in ''Legacy of the Void''.<ref name="Blizzard"/>

==Reception==
{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = June 3, 2013
|gr = yes
|game5=[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]
|gr5=92%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/939643-starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty/index.html |title=''StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty'' Reviews |access-date=June 3, 2013 |publisher=GameRankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501002029/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/939643-starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty/index.html |archive-date=May 1, 2013 }}</ref>
|mc5 = 93<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty'' Reviews |access-date=September 25, 2012 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815072320/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|game6=[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]
|gr6=86%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/954721-starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm/index.html |title=''StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm'' Reviews |access-date=June 3, 2013 |publisher=GameRankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604024801/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/954721-starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm/index.html |archive-date=June 4, 2013 }}</ref>
|mc6 = 86<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm'' Reviews |access-date=March 26, 2013 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819235256/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|game7=[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]
|gr7=88%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/954722-starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/index.html |title=''StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void'' Reviews |access-date=January 8, 2016 |publisher=GameRankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101211757/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/954722-starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/index.html |archive-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref>
|mc7 = 88<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void'' Reviews |access-date=January 8, 2016 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819235259/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The release of ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'' performed very well commercially and critically, selling 1.8 million copies within the first forty eight hours of release, which breaks the record of best selling strategy game in the history of the gaming industry. It received very positive reviews with an aggregate GameRankings score of 93%, and was nominated as the "Best PC Game of 2010" on GameSpot.<ref name="year">{{cite web|title=Best PC Game |website=GameSpot |date=December 23, 2010 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/platform-awards/index.html?page=1 |access-date=December 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219005524/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/platform-awards/index.html?page=1 |archive-date=December 19, 2010 }}</ref> By the end of 2012, ''Wings of Liberty'' had sold more than 6 million copies.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.polygon.com/2012/11/7/3615054/starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm-release-window-2013 |title=StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm launching in 'first half 2013'|access-date=November 8, 2012|date=November 8, 2011|publisher=polygon.com}}</ref> This success continued with the release of the first expansion pack, ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]'', which had a GameRankings aggregate score of 86%. The standalone expansion pack sold 1.1 million copies within the first two days of its release on March 12, 2013, and was the best-selling PC game in that quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diablo.somepage.com/news/1549-playstation-3-diablo-iii-release-date-in-2013 |title=PlayStation 3 Diablo III Release Date in 2013 |publisher=diablo.somepage.com |date=May 18, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |author=Bramblet, Matthew |work=Diablo Somepage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807024157/http://diablo.somepage.com/news/1549-playstation-3-diablo-iii-release-date-in-2013 |archive-date=August 7, 2013 }}</ref> ''[[Software:StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]'', the third expansion pack, was similarly well received, having a GameRankings aggregate score of 88% while selling more than 1 million copies worldwide within the first day of its release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/13/starcraft-2-legacy-of-the-void-sells-1-million-copies-in-24-hours |title=StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void Sells 1 Million Copies In 24 Hours |first=Cassidee |last=Moser |website=IGN |date=13 November 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114122814/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/13/starcraft-2-legacy-of-the-void-sells-1-million-copies-in-24-hours |archive-date=November 14, 2015 }}</ref>

The ''StarCraft'' and ''StarCraft II'' series had sold over 17.6 million copies of games and expansions by the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=February 10, 2011 |url=https://investor.activision.com/static-files/b2ce082f-e010-4f54-85e7-1493af3fa0c1|title=Fourth Quarter and CY 2010 Results |date=February 9, 2011 |publisher=Activision |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111004916/https://investor.activision.com/static-files/b2ce082f-e010-4f54-85e7-1493af3fa0c1 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 }}(4.5M)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/21/4133306/starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm-sells-1-1-million-copies-in-two-days|title=StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm sells 1.1 million copies in two days|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=March 21, 2013|work=Polygon|publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]|access-date=March 21, 2013}}(1.1M)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/13/starcraft-2-legacy-of-the-void-sells-1-million-copies-in-24-hours|title=StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void Sells 1 Million Copies In 24 Hours|first=Cassidee|last=Moser|website=IGN|date=13 November 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2015}}(1M)</ref>
By the end of 2017, Blizzard had listed the combined ''StarCraft'' franchise among their brands that have lifetime revenue totaled over $1 billion.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=Eight $1B+ Franchises Across Our Portfolio of Primarily Owned IP |url=https://investor.activision.com/static-files/bbfd4b49-bf78-40bd-aefe-3467f211844b |publisher=[[Company:Activision Blizzard|Activision Blizzard]] |date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

==Multiplayer game modes==
Aside from the single player campaigns corresponding to the four expansions, ''StarCraft II'' features several multiplayer game modes, the most common of which are the "versus" modes and the "co-op" mode.

===Versus===
The versus mode can be 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, with the numbers indicating the number of players per team. The 1v1 mode is the most well-known one, and the basis for the esport competition (see below). In it, the players collect [[Software:Experience point|experience point]]s and [[Software:Achievement (video games)|achievement]]s, but these do not affect future gameplay per se. The complexity of the game grows as the player progresses through the ranks, based on a [[Software:Matchmaking (video games)|matchmaking]] system that is based on the number of wins and losses. The so-called "ladder", the ordering of all players, is organized per geographic region, and consists of tiers called leagues, ranging from the lowest bronze, through silver, gold, platinum, diamond, master and in turn the highest, grandmaster league.

As the number of players per team grows, the maps they can play on typically change as well. It is also possible to play multiplayer tournaments in each team size, where a team either wins or is eliminated. The versus mode also includes the "Archon" option, where the matches are ostensibly 1v1 but more than one human player control what is usually controlled by a single person.

===Co-op===
The co-op mode involves two human players playing against an A.I. using special hero characters, and where collecting XP leads to leveling up that in turn affects future gameplay. The heroes are modeled after the characters from the single-player campaign, amended with extra abilities. This mode also features what is called "mutations", where the game parameters change in order to present a bigger challenge. There are 18 co-op commanders in total to choose from, divided evenly between the three races (6 of each). The co-op mode takes heroes from the main game storyline although not all heroes (46 heroes) are playable characters.

==Professional competition==
Since its release, ''StarCraft II'' was played professionally throughout the world, though much like its predecessor ''[[Software:StarCraft: Brood War]]'''s professional competition, the highest level of play has historically been centered in South Korea.

Since the release of ''StarCraft II'', a number of tournaments have been hosted in Korea and elsewhere, such as the Global StarCraft II League (GSL).<ref name="GSL">{{cite web|title = GOMTV Global Starcraft II League|publisher = GomTV|date = December 23, 2010|url = http://gomtv.net|access-date = December 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201223626/http://www.gomtv.net/|archive-date=2010-12-01}}</ref>

The game was widely considered the largest esport in the world during its early years and has been credited as bringing esports to the rest of the world in the way the original brought it to South Korea.<ref name="resurgence">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/starcraft-ii-esports-history-1202873246/|title='StarCraft II': How Blizzard Brought the King of Esports Back from the Dead|date=13 July 2018}}</ref> It has since experienced a decline and a more recent resurgence following its transition to a free-to-play business model.<ref name="resurgence"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/starcraft-ii-gsl-vs-the-world-history-1202894473/|title=Inside the Battle to Take "StarCraft II" Back from its Korean Overlords|date=3 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2012, Blizzard started the StarCraft II World Championship Series (WCS) as the primary sanctioned ''StarCraft II'' tournament circuit.<ref name="2012 announcement">{{cite web|url=http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/4797946/the-starcraft-ii-world-championship-series-4-4-2012|title=The StarCraft II World Championship Series|website=StarCraft II}}</ref> Since 2013, both Korean individual leagues like the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) and non-Korean events such as Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and Dreamhack had been included in the WCS system, distributing points and guaranteeing spots that qualify players for the Global Finals, held annually at BlizzCon.<ref name="wcs2013forbes">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2013/04/03/blizzard-establishes-first-ever-global-starcraft-ii-esports-ranking-system/#6420163774eb|title=Blizzard Establishes First Ever Global StarCraft II ESports Ranking System|first=John|last=Gaudiosi|website=Forbes }}</ref>

Since 2020, Blizzard changed the format of WCS by entering into a three-year partnership with esports organizers ESL and DreamHack.<ref name="wapo-2020-07-07">{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/01/07/esl-dreamhack-announce-esports-deal-with-blizzard-around-starcraft-ii-world-warcraft-iii-reforged/ | newspaper = Washington Post | title = Blizzard cuts esports deal with ESL, DreamHack around StarCraft II, Warcraft III: Reforged | date = 7 January 2020 | access-date = 15 June 2020}}</ref>

==Use in artificial intelligence==
In November 2016 Alphabet's [[Company:DeepMind|DeepMind]] branch announced a collaboration with Blizzard to create "a useful testing platform for the wider AI research community."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deepmind.com/blog/deepmind-and-blizzard-release-starcraft-ii-ai-research-environment/|title=DeepMind and Blizzard to release StarCraft II as an AI research environment {{!}} DeepMind|website=DeepMind|date=4 November 2016 |access-date=2017-01-13}}</ref>

''StarCraft II'' has been used in the field of [[Multi-agent reinforcement learning|multi-agent reinforcement learning]] for a dual purpose:

# A proof-of-concept to show that modern [[Reinforcement learning|reinforcement learning]] algorithms can compete with professional human players. In December 2018, DeepMind's ''StarCraft II'' bot, called [[Software:AlphaStar|AlphaStar]], defeated professional ''StarCraft II'' players in the game for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/24/18196135/google-deepmind-ai-starcraft-2-victory|title=DeepMind's AI agents conquer human pros at Starcraft II|last=Vincent|first=James|date=2019-01-24|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref> It beat the player MaNA 5–0, albeit under conditions some deemed to be unfair. A fairer version of AlphaStar attained Grandmaster status in August 2019, an accomplishment called a "landmark achievement" for the field of artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sample |first1=Ian |title=AI becomes grandmaster in 'fiendishly complex' StarCraft II |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/30/ai-becomes-grandmaster-in-fiendishly-complex-starcraft-ii |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2019}}</ref>
# A benchmark to measure and improve the performance of reinforcement learning algorithms that are used for environments other than ''StarCraft''.<ref>{{cite arXiv | first1 = Mikayel | last1 = Samvelyan | first2 = Tabish | last2 = Rashid | first3 = Christian Schroeder | last3 = de Witt | first4 = Gregory | last4 = Farquhar | first5 = Nantas | last5 = Nardelli | first6 = Tim G. J. | last6 = Rudner | first7 = Chia-Man | last7 = Hung | first8 = Philip H. S. | last8 = Torr | first9 = Jakob | last9 = Foerster | first10 = Shimon | last10 = Whiteson | eprint = 1902.04043 | title = The StarCraft Multi-Agent Challenge | year = 2019| class = cs.LG }}</ref><ref>{{cite arXiv | last1 = Ellis | first1 = Benjamin | last2 = Moalla | first2 = Skander | last3 = Samvelyan | first3 = Mikayel | last4 = Sun | first4 = Mingfei | last5 = Mahajan | first5 = Anuj | last6 = Foerster | first6 = Jakob N. | last7 = Whiteson | first7 = Shimon | eprint = 2212.07489 | title = SMACv2: An Improved Benchmark for Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning | year = 2022 | class = cs.LG }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.starcraft2.com/}}
* [http://battle.net/sc2/en/ ''StarCraft II''] at Battle.net

{{StarCraft series}}
{{Blizzard Entertainment}}
{{eSports competitions}}
{{Professional StarCraft II competition}}


[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|StarCraft II}}