Summary
- Genres: Adventure, Shooter
- Platforms: Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Developers: Blizzard Entertainment, Nihilistic Software, Swingin’ Ape Studios
- Publishers: Blizzard Entertainment
StarCraft: Ghost: The Long-Awaited Stealth-Action Game That Never Was
StarCraft: Ghost is a cancelled military science fiction stealth-action video game that was in development by Blizzard Entertainment. Part of Blizzard’s popular StarCraft series, the game was announced in 2002 and was originally planned to be released for the Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. However, after several delays and development setbacks, the game was eventually cancelled in 2014.
Development History
StarCraft: Ghost was first announced in September 2002, and was initially being developed by Nihilistic Software. The game was intended to be a third-person shooter, giving players a closer and more personal view of the StarCraft universe. The game was set four years after the conclusion of StarCraft: Brood War, and followed Nova, a Terran psychic espionage operative known as a “ghost”.
Development on StarCraft: Ghost was reportedly troubled from the start. Nihilistic Software struggled to meet Blizzard’s high standards, and the game was delayed several times. In 2004, Nihilistic Software ceded development to Swingin’ Ape Studios, but Blizzard eventually bought the company outright. The GameCube version of the game was cancelled in 2005, and the game was put on “indefinite hold” in 2006 while Blizzard investigated seventh generation video game console possibilities.
Gameplay
StarCraft: Ghost was intended to be a stealth-action game, with a focus on close-quarters combat and infiltration. Players would have controlled Nova, a ghost operative with a variety of psychic abilities, including the ability to cloak, mind control enemies, and use telekinesis. The game was also said to feature a branching storyline, with multiple endings depending on the player’s choices.
Story
Very little of the game’s storyline has been released, but it is known that the game would have followed Nova as she uncovered a conspiracy within the Terran Dominion. The game’s story was said to be more character-driven than previous StarCraft games, and would have explored the darker side of the StarCraft universe.
Cancellation
StarCraft: Ghost was officially cancelled in 2014, after years of development and delays. Blizzard never publicly stated the reasons for the cancellation, but it is believed that the game’s troubled development and the rise of new gaming platforms contributed to its demise.
Legacy
Despite its cancellation, StarCraft: Ghost remains a popular topic of discussion among StarCraft fans. The game’s unique premise and stealth-action gameplay would have been a welcome addition to the StarCraft universe, and many fans were disappointed when it was cancelled.
In 2006, a novel was published called StarCraft Ghost: Nova, which covers the backstory of the central character. The novel was written by Keith R.A. DeCandido, and provides some insight into what the game’s story would have been like.
Conclusion
StarCraft: Ghost is a cautionary tale about the perils of game development. The game’s troubled development and eventual cancellation is a reminder that even the most ambitious projects can sometimes fail. However, the game’s legacy lives on, and it remains a popular topic of discussion among StarCraft fans.
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