StarCraft Legacy has conducted an interview with Chris Metzen, Blizzard Entertainment’s Vice President of Creative Development. They got to ask him many questions regarding StarCraft 2’s story and lore, to which he extensively replied.

Here are a few interesting highlights. The full interview is massive, so if you’re interested in reading it in its entirety, head over to SCLegacy.

So, what’s up with that Duran guy?

SC:L - Can you put more emphasis on this quote: “…her (Kerrigan) rebirth into the Zerg Swarm has sped up my progress…” (Duran, Dark Origins)? Why exactly?

 

Metzen - That would be telling… We’ll just have to wait and see what Duran’s motivations are and how Kerrigan’s true role within the Swarm ties into all this galactic-scale maneuvering.

Next up, Chris talks about Zetaras’ good friend - the new Protoss heroine in StarCraft 2, Executor Selendis.

SC:L - Please tell us more about the new Protoss Executor, Selendis: her history, her new role etc…

 

Metzen - Selendis - Protoss Templar Executor: Selendis was a student of Artanis. In the new hierarchy now ruling the Protoss she has been elected executor: overall leader of the combined Protoss military forces. At her command, many new weapons and robotic fighting machines have been developed to help preserve Protoss lives in battle, and she is eager to take the battle to the Zerg and reclaim Aiur. Selendis represents the best and brightest of what the Protoss can be–fiercely loyal to her race’s ideals, completely dedicated and focused beyond any mere human capacity.

What ever happened to the Arbiters?

SC:L - Why did the Protoss abandon Arbiters during the time of StarCraft II and what ships do the Judicators now pilot (as Arbiters were “their” ships)?

 

Metzen - After judicators were eliminated from the Protoss power structure, the arbiters quickly fell into disuse. When the Protoss fled to Shakuras, the arbiters were lost along with Aiur.

The return of Tassadar?

SC:L - And last, for our own curiosity - you referred to Tassadar as a “twilight messiah” during the lore panel on BlizzCon - is there ever a chance of seeing his return in some form or another?

 

Metzen - What goes around comes around. You know our Blizzard heroes: they roll back from the brink of death more often than the original X-Men. Seriously, though – given what the Khala is, and some of the other upcoming themes we’ve devised – it’s probable that Tassadar’s spirit is out there somewhere. However, I wouldn’t count on his pulling a “Medivh” any time soon… (if ever).

The rest of the answers deal with other, more minor characters in the StarCraft lore and reveal some more of the history of the universe. This level of detail sets a precedent in the RTS world (with the exception of WarCraft, perhaps), which usually revolves around stale, historical stories or shallow, formulaic “Sci-Fi” settings. With StarCraft 2, Blizzard is taking the story to a new level.

We can’t help but feel the build up for the inevitable release of World of StarCraft.

7 Comments to “Interview with Chris Metzen: StarCraft 2 Lore”

1. Asker — October 11, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
   

   Hmmm .. on first look, Selendis looks like a grand ‘predator’ in battle gear ..

2. Anonymous — October 11, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
   

   no! its starcraft universe! (was going to call it galaxy but damn star wars…)

3. whiteknight — October 12, 2007 @ 1:01 am
   

   Cool
   Female protoss warrior

   and i wish that tassadar return(may be he’s strong enough to form archon alone)

   one question from sc : brood war(i forget about them)
   has kerigan already an overmind ? or she’s still celebrate ?

4. Selendis — October 13, 2007 @ 8:16 am
   

   Does she have horns? XD
   She looks like a protoss demon with this gear

5. Desruprot — October 14, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
   

   I think that is apart of her gear…

6. Arbiters_pwn — October 29, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
   

   White Knight… I dont think you understand this archon thing. The reason it is so powerful is because and only because two entire minds have become one. Its like nukliar fusion. without the 2 there is no archon.

   Yeah thts all I got ta say cept…

   W00T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for new lore

7. Kontan — January 14, 2008 @ 5:02 am
   

   Havent seen any1 suggest this name for a Starcraft MMO but i dont think im the first.
   Anyway i think they would probably name it Stars of Starcraft.
   Just my 2 cents