This August, Blizzard will be releasing their first attempt at remastering and updating one of their classic games. On August 14, 2017, they’ll be releasing StarCraft: Remastered to the masses. This is the original 1998 release of StarCraft, remastered in 4K resolution and supporting widescreen, using the same art, engine, and assets as the original game. Other features include:

    • Cloud saves.
    • Playable in 13 languages
    • Remastered audio and dialogue
    • Enhanced narrative
    • Matchmaking and leaderboards

To see that Blizzard hasn’t forgotten where they came from before World of Warcraft launched them into the stratosphere of mainstream entertainment is gratifying.

Before World of Warcraft came out, Blizzard already had a large, devoted fan base who adored the two Diablo games, and the Warcraft/StarCraft strategy games.

We still love Diablo and Diablo II. We still love old StarCraft and Warcraft. Apparently Blizzard does as well and is sending a love letter to the fans in the form of StarCraft: Remastered. And if StarCraft: Remastered does well, we’re almost sure to get more updated remasters from Blizzard.

Video games can quickly start to show their age. They’re a product of their time and the technology they were made for. As time passes, nostalgia can make them better in your mind than they actually are compared to more modern games. While StarCraft does look like an older game, the art, production values, and gameplay still hold up remarkably well, which are hallmarks of a classic. A full remake is unnecessary. All StarCraft needs is a polish.

Protoss Base
‘StarCraft: Remastered’ in 4K.

It’s like a nice vintage house that needs a new paint job, a little shoring up in the yard, and maybe some roof and interior repairs. Aspects may look dated compared to more modern offerings, but that’s why they’re called classic games.

Legacy gaming is becoming more and more popular as the years pass. It’s essential that the game industry retain and properly nurture that legacy. When it’s needed, classic games like StarCraft should absolutely get updates. Current and future generations of gamers will have a better understanding of where the games they play today came from as a result.

StarCraft is wildly popular in South Korea, which probably contributed to Blizzard’s decision to remaster the game. Their games have aged incredibly well, which is a testament to how solid their mechanics were when they came out, and how consistently polished their games are when they release.

Blizzard places a strong emphasis on listening to their fans, which not all game publishers do. As a result, professional StarCraft players did game testing for StarCraft: Remastered. They played a significant role in shoring up the game where it was needed, while retaining what makes StarCraft what it is.

StarCraft is one of the greatest strategy games the video game industry has ever produced. It would be fantastic to see more video game publishers devote this kind of care in restoring and updating their classic games.

I rarely pre-order games. I’ve been a gamer for decades, and can probably count on one hand how many games I’ve pre-ordered before release day. StarCraft: Remastered is the first game I’ve pre-ordered in years.

So thank you, Blizzard. And I look forward to Diablo II: Remastered and Warcraft III: Remastered.