StarCraft: Ghost Is Still Kicking

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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StarCraft: Ghost Is Still Kicking


It looks like StarCraft: Ghost may be forgotten but not actually gone: Blizzard [http://www.blizzard.com/] has apparently tried, and failed, to register the name in China as an e-sports brand.

StarCraftWire.net [http://www.starcraftwire.net/blog/comments/china-blocks-starcraft-ghost-registration/] is reporting that Blizzard's attempt to register the name was turned down by China's State Administration of Industry and Commerce, which ruled that the title contravenes "socialist morality" and would promote "feudal superstition." The trouble comes not only from the presence of the word "Ghost" in the title but also because of "StarCraft" itself, which the state agency seemingly interpreted to mean astrology.

Blizzard appealed the matter to the Beijing Municipal First Intermediate People's Court, saying the name itself bears no relation to feudal superstition and that the registration is for e-sports, videogame news and "other projects trademarked for the company's Battle.net [http://www.battle.net/] online game service platform," none of which were being set up or used to "disseminate feudal superstition or engaging in superstitious, illegal activities." Nonetheless, the Court rejected the appeal, saying the language could easily cause "adverse effects" among the people. Blizzard has appealed that decision as well.

What does it all mean? Two things: One, China is a very strange place. Two, Blizzard, by all appearances at least, still has plans for StarCraft: Ghost. First announced in 2002, StarCraft: Ghost was originally intended to be a third-person action game centering around a Terran special operative known as a "ghost." The game was indefinitely postponed in 2006, but as the report notes, never actually canceled. At this point Blizzard could take the property in any direction it wants and since the company is known to have a second MMOG in development [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89413-WoW-Lead-Designer-Moves-to-Blizzs-Other-MMO], rumors both hot and heavy should start flying any day now.


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Jack and Calumon

Digimon are cool.
Dec 29, 2008
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Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

Are you telling me, that a game I thought got cancelled, is still being made? What on Earth is going on here?
 

Valiance

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Jan 14, 2009
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If it is put out, it will definitely not be what it was first intended to be.

Granted, that doesn't mean it will be disappointing, but it will mean that I should expect something other than the idea that I thought was awesome. It could have ended up being like a sci-fi version of Thief.
 

Eagle Est1986

That One Guy
Nov 21, 2007
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Now this is a very interesting occurence..... I wish to know what those devious fellows at Blizzard are up to, I was following Ghost for ages!
 

fluffylandmine

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Jul 23, 2008
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So it wasn't canned?

I'm a little confused and excited at the same time, I know there's a word for that but I can't seem to think of it.
 

Frizzle

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Nov 11, 2008
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fluffylandmine said:
So it wasn't canned?

I'm a little confused and excited at the same time, I know there's a word for that but I can't seem to think of it.
Anxious?

OT: I'm pretty much always excited when Blizzard comes out with something new, so count me in the "wtf is going on here?!" category of people.
 

Vlane

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Sep 14, 2008
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I hope they release/make the game and I hope that they keep the main character.
 

Skizle

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Feb 12, 2009
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i feel sorry for anyone that preordered this back in the day. those are the people that are the most confused right now i bet
 

L.B. Jeffries

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Nov 29, 2007
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On the other hand, this is a text book example of why you should never, ever allow your government to control the ratings of your media. You get bonkers crap like this.
 

Hippobatman

Resident Mario sprite
Jun 18, 2008
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I didn't follow this game much when it was first announced, but who knows, maybe I should have? As Eagle Est said, I too would like to know what those busy little bees at Blizzard are scheeming with (I just saw Gladiator).
 

Skrapt

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May 6, 2008
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Ranooth said:
Cue more blizzard fan boys screaming.

Sigh, i need another drink.
You can argue that their games don't suit your particular tastes but it's extremely difficult to argue their games aren't well designed and executed with a consistent quality. I've personally enjoyed a lot of Blizzards games and they're one of the few gaming companies I trust to consistently release something good.
 

Rigs83

Elite Member
Feb 10, 2009
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Let's see Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" has been released and ignored, a black man is the president of the United States, Duke Nukem Forever has a new trailer out while Starcraft Ghost refuses to die and Micki Rourke is a top contender for an Oscar. Yup the end is nye.
 

Sigenrecht

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Mar 17, 2008
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...in other news, shortly after the Beijing Municipal First Intermediate People's Court rejected the appeal of Blizzard Entertainment's licensing of StarCraft: Ghost, South Korea has rapidly (if not expectantly) launched a full-scale invasion of the Chinese mainland, shitstomping on Kim Jong-il in complete disregard of his unpleasantness along the way.
 

Dechef

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Feb 7, 2008
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So let me get this straight: they refused, because the title had Ghost in it, and because they think it has something to do with astrology?
Assuming this is true.
What the fucking hell, china?
 

Ranooth

BEHIND YOU!!
Mar 26, 2008
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Skrapt said:
Ranooth said:
Cue more blizzard fan boys screaming.

Sigh, i need another drink.
You can argue that their games don't suit your particular tastes but it's extremely difficult to argue their games aren't well designed and executed with a consistent quality. I've personally enjoyed a lot of Blizzards games and they're one of the few gaming companies I trust to consistently release something good.
Iv enjoyed some of Blizzards games too, their a good company. I just hate their fanboys with a passion.
 

sheic99

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Oct 15, 2008
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Catkid906 said:
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

Are you telling me, that a game I thought got cancelled, is still being made? What on Earth is going on here?
It caught Duke Nukem Forever syndrome.