The Current State of StarCraft 2: A Discussion on its Future

As someone who played StarCraft 2 very actively at a relatively high level in the past, I have often found myself agreeing with the sentiment that the game has become repetitive and stagnant. The game, while incredibly exciting in its prime, has lost some of that initial spark. Many content creators have weighed in on this issue, and it seems that there are two main camps proposing solutions. I’d like to address both of their arguments, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and then offer my own solution to revitalizing the game.

Camp #1 (PiG, etc.): Change the Starting Conditions (Reduce Workers)

This camp advocates for reducing the number of starting workers to increase tactical diversity and game volatility. I think I speak for many long-time players, especially those who’ve been around since the early days of Wings of Liberty, when I say that those were truly magical times. Watching GSL Code S and seeing innovative strategies like proxy banshees or unexpected 6-pools or bunker rushes was exhilarating.

The argument behind reducing the starting workers is that it would encourage more diverse strategies and provide more volatility to the early game, which could bring back some of that excitement. While this would indeed alter the game, I don’t believe it would have the desired effect to the extent that Camp #1 believes. The core issue is that StarCraft 2 has been around for 14 years, and the game has largely been figured out. The strategies and openings that are effective are well-established, and the creativity of the community has largely run its course.

Additionally, there is a concern that modern gamers, particularly younger generations like Gen Z, lack the patience to enjoy long, drawn-out early phases of the game. The slow pacing, where players spend several minutes building up before engaging in meaningful combat, could be a turnoff for these players.

Camp #2 (Artosis, etc.): Slightly Modify Units

The second camp advocates for small tweaks to existing units to keep the game fresh. This includes minor things like adjusting the movement speed of carriers or giving hydralisks new abilities. While well-intentioned, I don’t think these small changes are enough to breathe new life into StarCraft 2. A slight modification here or there will not fundamentally change the experience, and it risks feeling like more of the same, which won’t reignite player interest in the long term.

My Proposal: Keep Adding New Units

When I eventually stepped away from StarCraft 2, I found myself drawn to League of Legends. The question is: why has LoL become so much more popular than StarCraft 2, especially among younger players?

Is it because MOBAs are inherently better than RTS games? I don’t think so. Is it because LoL has map rotations? Hardly—LoL’s map has barely changed over the years. So, what is it? The answer is simple: LoL keeps its gameplay fresh through constant diversification. With 169 champions (and 3-4 new ones added each year), the game offers an almost infinite variety of combinations for players. If you get bored with one champion, you can easily switch to another, and the experience feels fresh every time.

So, what if StarCraft 2 took a similar approach? I propose that Blizzard focus on adding new units over time. It doesn’t need to be a frequent addition, but something like one new unit per year could make a huge difference. Imagine if each race received a powerful, mid-game hero unit with unique abilities. While there might be some short-term balancing issues as players learn to exploit these new units, this approach would inject new life into the game, much like how LoL continually introduces new champions.

Yes, there would be balancing headaches, and some players would inevitably find ways to abuse the new units to gain a competitive edge. But personally, I don’t see this as a huge problem. Competitive games like LoL have similar issues when new champions are introduced, but they are quickly addressed. Over time, this approach would revitalize the core experience of StarCraft 2 and keep the game exciting for both casual and competitive players.

Let me know what you think!