StarCraft: Ghost is being co-developed by Blizzard Entertainment and Nihilistic. This is an exciting opportunity for both studios as we are combining the strengths of both companies to realize a fully immersive, action-oriented StarCraft console experience. At Blizzard we tend to focus less on the individual and more on the whole, so we are happy to let the games created by these studios speak for the caliber of the people working on our latest StarCraft game.

StarCraft: Ghost is eagerly awaited game, but it won't be StarCraft 2. Can you tell us more about the game and the gameplay? What can players expect?

StarCraft: Ghost�, is a tactical-action game, refining the epic experience of StarCraft to the level of the individual soldier. We want to combine the personal excitement of a first-person shooter with a tactical layer that rewards players for innovative thought and problem-solving skills. We also want to allow players to do many of the things they loved from StarCraft, like using a wide array of high-tech weaponry, use combat vehicles and even call down Nuclear Strikes to clear whole sections of a massive battlefield.

Players will engage the StarCraft universe face-to-face as a deadly Ghost operative in the employ of the Dominion. With the help of numerous allies, players will follow story-driven missions that take them from dangerous solo operations to massive planetary battles. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that leaves the fate of the universe in your hands.

Game heroine Nova can use not only guns but also unique psionic abilities. Will there be other RPG features - like inventory or attributes?

We are more focused on the action aspects of the game, but a limited inventory is represented by the weapon choices Nova will have on every mission. She will not have an inventory screen, per se, as in Diablo or World of Warcraft, but she will be able to rapidly and easily navigate through a wide selection of weapons and items with which she can do everything from covert insertions into hostile enemy territory to commanding Siege Tanks.

Will Nova interact (command, communicate) with other units like marines etc.?

Nova will have the ability to interact with other units, although we have not detailed out all aspects of this part of the game. We do want the player to feel like a key component in massive conflicts at times, however, and being able to send allied units to specific locations, for example, could be an interesting way to represent this. You can bet that this idea will be passed right along to the development team!

Interesting fact is usage of in-game vehicles like Vulture or Wraith. How much will usage of vehicles influence the game?

We are designing both specific and general areas for vehicles to be used, so the factor they play in the outcome of a mission will be dependent on how much of the mission was specifically structured around the fact that Nova can use a vehicle there. We want to support the use of vehicles when it makes sense for the storyline as well as the level design. We want it to feel special when you do employ a vehicle so that the impact it makes on your game experience is very big.

The storyline is strongly influenced by the StarCraft universe. Will players meet most of their favorites in "person"?

Although the timeline for StarCraft: Ghost is very close to the events that transpire in the Strategy games, Nova's story takes place in different areas and at a later time. While this does not mean that it would be impossible to meet personalities from StarCraft or Brood War, they are certainly not a core part of the Ghost storyline.

StarCraft: Ghost is a console game from Blizzard after long time. Do you believe that now is the right time to go on the console market?

This is a fantastic time to be entering into the console market. The acceptance of the three competing systems is high and the development technology and tools are great. Developers are seeing some amazing results and can really bring their concepts to life as never before. Gamers have embraced these systems and are eager for new games - and we are very excited to be bringing StarCraft to a whole new arena of players.

Source: GamePort