Blizzard did not want to develop a new RTS, which is why Frost Giant Studios was founded. Stormgate, a new game of this genre, is now being developed there, which has StarCraft and Warcraft as models, but also wants to create “something new”.
There have been no updates for Starcraft II for three years. Time and again, the game is therefore described as “dead”. “Despite this, there is still a large player base and a healthy eSports scene, which is something we want to take advantage of,” developer studio Frost Giant told eSport at gamescom 2023. Although they are not working on the third part of the real-time strategy game, they are working on a new title, Stormgate – and even the new StarCraft? “That is already our goal, but not only,” the developer announced. Something new is definitely to be released.
In general, the game will contain influences from “25 percent StarCraft, 25 percent Warcraft and 25 percent another RTS” – i.e. real-time strategy game. The last remaining quarter is supposed to be something new. A closer look under the bonnet of Frost Giant Studios already suggests this assessment. Because former developers of both games mentioned are responsible for Stormgate. “At the time, they wanted to do StarCraft III or Warcraft IV at Blizzard, but Blizzard had rejected that and wanted to implement ‘something more exciting'”, which is why Frost Giant Studios was founded. Who are now working on Stormgate.
Pay to win? “That’s where you’d be crucified “
This is to be released as free-to-play and will include multiple forms of play. Starting with a solo and co-op campaign, of which the first part will be free. Afterwards, you can buy additional content on a seasonal basis. In addition, there will be a cooperative 3vE mode in which three players compete against the AI, but also eSport modes. These include a 1v1 ranked and a 3v3 team game form.
In addition to the additionally purchasable campaigns, a Battle Pass for the other modes is also being considered – but there will be no pay-to-win. You can’t afford that “with an RTS player base. You would be crucified”.
The fact that not only StarCraft will be cloned will become clear, for example, with the 3vE mode. Because there “are hero units that are more familiar from Warcraft”. The 1vs1, on the other hand, is supposed to “pick up the classic RTS player, of which there are still a few”.
Farm, explore, build, defeat enemies
The setting is a post-apocalyptic science-fantasy setting, where there are initially two factions: Human resistance fighters, but also demonic invaders. Depending on how well the game is received, more factions are to appear over time. With the workers, the initial task is to mine resources and construct buildings.
As in Age of Empires, you have a scout at your disposal who can go on an exploration tour during the game. Unlike in the aforementioned strategy game, there are only two resources: a gold-like substance and an ore-like substance. While the former – the primary resource – is finite, the latter grows back. Wood or food do not exist.
Game speed slowed – release date still in the distance
Generally Stormgate seems clearly arranged and not overloaded, the game speed is slowed down in contrast to StarCraft. “There, the early game was already very rushed, especially when the skill difference is very high,” the developer explained.
Again something “untypical for StarCraft” are camps that can be found on the map. There are no items there, but three different bonuses: a healing field, an acceleration field and an exploration field around the camp. The latter is like an observation tower that reveals the map in this area. However, not for the entire duration of the game, after about four minutes the time of availability expires. After that, a new camp spawns with a higher level – but also more difficult to conquer.
There are actually enemies waiting for the soldiers. However, there is no enemy AI yet in the closed alpha version we were shown. “In general, we are still in an early stage of development, which is why we cannot give a specific release date yet. Our goal is to move into a closed beta phase towards the end of the year, which will still be well into 2024. After that, of course, something will come and not just after a one-year break,” predicts Frost Giant Studios.