Look to Warhammer 40k

[BlueRift]

This is not a desire to turn 40k into a computer game or make StarCraft more like 40k but there are some facts that I find interesting.

In the Lord of the Rings movies, the way the elves fight is pulled directly from Game Workshops fluff on high elves in Fantasy Warhammer. Several times Games Workshop has used it's expansive universe of knowledge and support to influence not directly associated projects.

Secondly, you cannot deny the similarities between some of the Races in Warhammer and the races in Starcraft. For instance, Spacemarines (40k) and Terran, Tyranid and Zerg, and Eldar and Protoss. For those of you who are not acquainted with Warhammer 40k, take my word for it StarCraft was influenced by this game. These are the obvious similarities to Warhammer 40k try looking up the names of the 40k units if you have questions. The Zerg are almost a carbon copy of the Tyranid. Hormagaunts are Zerglings, Tyranid Warriors and Zanthrope are very similar to Hydralisks. Carnifex is much like the Ultralisk and the whole concept of the Overmind is exactally the same as Tyranid. Tyranid require units that are "synapse" creatures that function like overlords in the fluff aspect. Spacemarines are heavily armored soldiers that look exactly the same as StarCraft Marines. They have bikes much like vultures and the Siege Tank is a combination of Spacemarine and Imperial Guard Tanks. Eldar are a technologically advanced, frail, but psionic race (Protoss anyone?). They have the most difference between the two but the Eldar Wraith Lord is a fallen Eldar resurrected to Pilot this unit, much like a Protoss Dragoon. Also, the Eldar have strong close combat units that fill the role of Zealots. As far as looks go Games Workshop completely ripped off the Protoss with the Tau (Props to Blizzard for that).

Now, my point as to how this affects Starcraft 2 is that Games Workshop has already done the work of creating radically different races that have different styles in a futuristic world. Warhammer 40k has fabricated and balanced 9 completely different races that have their fare share of individuality. I would bet money that the new armies will have strong similarities to Games Workshop armies. The question is, which ones.

Food for thought.

[Bret]

Hmm, very good thoughts on this. But just some ideas you cannot give credit to. Like Elves. No one has truly "created" them as a race. They have always had the same unique characteristics in every story in every world. Same as for Orcs, ghouls, witches, and goblins, and don't forget about humans. They have always had the same folklore tied to them long before any company put them into their games.

As for Game Workshop being unique. They have "stolen" ideas for others as well. Although you aren't focussing on who stole what, you are saying look for simularities which probably will be a reacurring theme in SC2.

The difference between SC2 and Windhammer 40k is Blizzard is very popular. I've heard OF WH 40k, but I'll be damned if I know who produces it or who writes it. Its ALL about the marketing and the user friendly interphases.

[Biske]

Wa? Did you say the LORD OF THE RINGS was influenced by a 25 year old board game? Man, LotR was written a little bit before that game ever got out, atleast 10-15 years. Those things didn't get popular until the late 70s.

[Ashigaru]

You are aware of the fact WH40k has been made into a computer game right?