StarCraft Universe Arrives on Kickstarter

[Andy Chalk]

StarCraft Universe Arrives on Kickstarter

​

StarCraft Universe, the fan-made MMO based on Blizzard's sci-fi RTS, is raising funds through Kickstarter, with Blizzard's blessing.

Developed entirely by fans and currently in closed beta, 2010 [http://upheavalarts.com/], but now it's time for the next big step: Kickstarter.

The StarCraft Universe Kickstarter campaign has a funding goal of $80,000, which will pay for an open beta of the mod, currently planned for late 2013 or early 2014. Several stretch goals, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, offer the addition of the Zerg character class, a "MOBA-inspired" PvP zone, updated character models and animations and more. The whole thing will be free-to-play - you don't even need to purchase StarCraft II, as it only requires the free StarCraft II Starter Edition [https://us.battle.net/account/sc2/starter-edition/] to run - so backers will be given in-game items including consumables and pets, special "relic aspects," vehicles, the soundtrack and more, and of course "the satisfaction of helping StarCraft Universe become a reality."

And to answer the most obvious question, Blizzard remains supportive of the project and apparently won't drop the hammer on the fundraising effort. "While Blizzard is not directly affiliated with this project's production, we do communicate with them to submit bug reports and make technical requests," Upheaval Arts, the studio making the game, wrote on the Kickstarter page. "They have given their blessing/permission for us to launch this Kickstarter, and they are supporting our efforts by featuring SCU as an Arcade Highlight."

There's a lot of grass-roots enthusiasm for this project and now StarCraft fans have a chance to put their money where their mouths are by throwing a few bucks at it. The StarCraft Universe Kickstarter runs until September 10 and is currently just shy of $6900; if you want to help make it happen, you know what to do.

Source: Kickstarter [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/747939120/starcraft-universe?ref=category]


Permalink

 

[kajinking]

I was gonna say "Cease and Desist has arrived" until I saw it was with Blizzards blessing.

It's actually amazing a great fan project has the owner's blessing for once. I swear it's like every other week we hear about and new C&D order for a cool project

 

[Infernal Lawyer]

Well... I guess technically Blizzard isn't directly trying to take advantage of Kickstarter... And it IS good that they're not just shutting down fan-tributes for the hell of it... Meh, maybe I'm just trying to find a bad guy

 

[Baldr]

You'll be surprised what your allowed to do with other people's IP if you just ask! Especially if there is mutual benefits, like this where people still have to to download Starcraft, which may convert to sales.

Speaking of Blizzard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D--GWwca0g&list=PLY0KbDiiFYeNKrf7yg1O5KsHff-NdimhR

 

[sir neillios]

Truely amazing that Blizz is okay with this. I guess the fact is that this will actively sell copies of SC2, atill very unusual.

 

[jp201]

Truely amazing that Blizz is okay with this. I guess the fact is that this will actively sell copies of SC2, atill very unusual.

Its not shocking because its being built in the starcraft 2 engine and they support their mods. If this was being made outside of starcraft 2 then blizzard would step in and stop them.

 

[synobal]

Truely amazing that Blizz is okay with this. I guess the fact is that this will actively sell copies of SC2, atill very unusual.

Its not shocking because its being built in the starcraft 2 engine and they support their mods. If this was being made outside of starcraft 2 then blizzard would step in and stop them.

Pretty much this, Blizzard gets their cut and a vibrant and strong mod community will keep a game alive and populated long after it's hay day.

 

[Sku1c]

Closed beta?

Isn't this thing open to anyone with a SC2 account?

Been a while since I tried this, I gave up after a short while though, needed alot of work back then.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Sounds like good PR for Blizzard at least. A little off topic, but I'm rather worried what sort of precedent other groups thinks this will set. I can only imagine the dozens of MLP projects that get canned turning to this story as a rallying point to fight against big evil Hasbro.

 

[omega 616]

I was gonna say "Cease and Desist has arrived" until I saw it was with Blizzards blessing.

It's actually amazing a great fan project has the owner's blessing for once. I swear it's like every other week we hear about and new C&D order for a cool project

Aren't there loads of mini games involving starcraft characters? I know there is a football/soccer one and a where you have to destroy the person opposites protoss crystal thingy be sending waves of units marching in a straight line.

I would guess that they are fan made, so if they are allowing that I can't see why they wouldn't allow this ... Bobby Kotick probably wants to buy it out later if it is a success.

 

[Ferisar]

I still dont understand what they need the funding for. According to the pie chart most of it is going towards something vaguely labeled as "Content Development", but they say that all the modders (modders, not full time game developers, pure hobbyists) still work day jobs and still intend to.

So what is this money being used for, exactly? They're still going to be doing their day jobs and I'm confused as to what this money is actually going towards.


Besides that though I'm not really that impressed. As a mod it is very impressive, but as something that needs "funding", I wouldn't give them a dime tbh.

wat

"It's cool, but not." "They're saying the money is going toward making the game, but I don't get what making the game means"

is a summary what you just said. What are they supposed to do, label it? A step-by-step of their creation process? Do you want them to hire someone for a spreadsheet of where all the money goes? It's kickstarter. They don't really have any other way to label it other than "the development of content".

Bottom line, if you think it's sketch don't give them money. I imagine they're doing this so they have motivation to use their free time in making this mod rather than, you know, not working

Meh.

OT:
I... really hate the sc2 engine for custom map creation, so I don't know if I'd like it at all honestly. It has flexibility but it's not quite as long lasting in appearance as WC3, so it bugs me. I probably won't be playing this, but maybe it'll become bigger and better.

 

[Ferisar]

I still dont understand what they need the funding for. According to the pie chart most of it is going towards something vaguely labeled as "Content Development", but they say that all the modders (modders, not full time game developers, pure hobbyists) still work day jobs and still intend to.

So what is this money being used for, exactly? They're still going to be doing their day jobs and I'm confused as to what this money is actually going towards.


Besides that though I'm not really that impressed. As a mod it is very impressive, but as something that needs "funding", I wouldn't give them a dime tbh.

wat

"It's cool, but not." "They're saying the money is going toward making the game, but I don't get what making the game means"

is a summary what you just said. What are they supposed to do, label it? A step-by-step of their creation process? Do you want them to hire someone for a spreadsheet of where all the money goes? It's kickstarter. They don't really have any other way to label it other than "the development of content".

Bottom line, if you think it's sketch don't give them money. I imagine they're doing this so they have motivation to use their free time in making this mod rather than, you know, not working

Meh.

OT:
I... really hate the sc2 engine for custom map creation, so I don't know if I'd like it at all honestly. It has flexibility but it's not quite as long lasting in appearance as WC3, so it bugs me. I probably won't be playing this, but maybe it'll become bigger and better.

That is not the point. I am asking where the money I donate is going if I donate. In other development projects on Kickstarter, it is usually an actual game not a mod, meaning they need the money to pay the wages of the people who are actually trying to make a living off of the game they are making.

These guys are 'not' trying to make a living off of the mod they are making, as they already have jobs. They said they have full time jobs and thus, the money I contribute is not going to their "wages". Then where is it going?

right... except... it's going... toward the game development. Like... A person working a job and working on a game does not mean that they suddenly aren't allowed donations/financial assistance via kickstarter because they have another job. I still fail to see your point completely. They spend their free time working on a mod that's so third-party it works with nothing but the starter edition of SC2. Sorry if I'm missing something, but... Again, don't donate if you don't approve, but they have a solid case for having a kickstarter as far as I can see it.

 

[Phoenix1213]

I still dont understand what they need the funding for. According to the pie chart most of it is going towards something vaguely labeled as "Content Development", but they say that all the modders (modders, not full time game developers, pure hobbyists) still work day jobs and still intend to.

So what is this money being used for, exactly? They're still going to be doing their day jobs and I'm confused as to what this money is actually going towards.


Besides that though I'm not really that impressed. As a mod it is very impressive, but as something that needs "funding", I wouldn't give them a dime tbh.

From "Why does Upheaval Arts need funding":

..." All developers on the project have had to return to work their normal day jobs, dramatically hindering the progression of the project due to its time intensive requirements."...


..."After releasing the StarCraft Universe Beta Prologue: Chronicles of Fate to the public, we're hoping to receive backing from the awesome StarCraft community to push our project forward and expand the team with sufficient funds to expedite the development process. With your help, we'll have the time, motivation, and resources we need to put that fresh looking AAA polish on SCU and get it out to you faster, better, and sexier."...

From "Risks and Challenges section":

..."The biggest challenge we face is the time required to implement custom assets and script in content for players to explore, but with your monetary assistance we'll be able to eliminate many of the challenges of our lives, and focus on our work."...


All of that implies that at one point they were working solely on the mod, but had to return to work due to having no income, and that with assistance they would be able to devote their time to their "work" (i.e. the mod)

 

[Insane Guy of DOOM]

"The StarCraft Universe Kickstarter runs until September 10 and is currently just shy of $6900; if you want to help make it happen, you know what to do."

Uh, the Kickstarter page says they've only raised nine thousand.