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Help Blizzard Make Starcraft II

Blizz developers want you to help choose which dark templar they put in their new RTS. Democracy at work, people.

By Brad Shoemaker  |  Jan. 8, 2009

BEWARE OF HANGING CHADS. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
BEWARE OF HANGING CHADS. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
Now that we've chosen the new leader of the free world, Blizzard would like you to keep on rocking the vote over at Starcraft2.com. They're soliciting feedback on which of two kinds of dark templar they should use in the new strategy game--and if you don't know what a dark templar is, I guess you might as well stop reading now.

I say this because the choice doesn't just come down to your preference for art style or something; Blizzard is digging deep into the lore of the Starcraft universe on this one. Splitting hairs, even. Quoth the voting page:

The protoss dark templar has always been one of the StarCraft community's favorite units -- now, the community has a chance to participate directly in the dark templar design process for StarCraft II! Over the course of the next month, players will vote to decide which dark templar model will appear in StarCraft II multiplayer matches.

  • The first option represents the Lenassa tribe of dark templar, which made its debut in the original StarCraft. This unit carries a single warp blade, and a cloth shroud covers its face.
  • The second option represents the Zer'atai tribe of dark templar, who wield dual scythes and wear an ensemble of heavy armor and the bones of slain zerg.

Can't say I have much of a preference either way; both of them look equally ready to kill! In all seriousness, this is a pretty neat way to get people involved and give hardcore fans a say in something that might actually matter to them. Might as well ask: which one did you pick?

I do have a preference regarding the eventual release of Starcraft II, however, leaning decidedly toward "sooner" rather than "later."
Filed under: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
60 Comments
YellowChuon Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
Dark Templar were amazing in the original, hope they are just as good in II. As for voting, I have no idea which looks better. I say both of them! One for campaign and one for online.
Raileron Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
Personally i prefer #2. I think it looks a bit cooler. But yeah, tough choice.
mubresson Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:45 p.m.
Agree with YellowChu, that would be a cool idea.
Jeffsekaion Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:47 p.m.
I choose.....BOTH!
AndrewBon Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.
I think Blizzard should go with whatever *they* think represents the current incarnation of the Dark Templar best. #1 is good for the sake of familiarity, but I like the portrait render for #2, and the history behind the second Dark Templar better. Unfortunately, the second lacks the iconic single blade.
HelixSnakeon Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:52 p.m.
I totally wussed out and voted for both.
Stratto83on Jan. 8, 2009 at 2:59 p.m.
It's a nice way to have the community involved but I wonder if they will do the same for other units not just in the Protoss ranks. But of course hopefully this process won't effect the dead line release date if they opened it to the community.
For which one:
  1. Looks more like a stealth version which makes sense, as in the original Starcraft they did have an infiltration ability
  2. This one looks like more of a brutal in your face Dark templar that's been spliced with a zerg, look at that jaw line!!!.
So I maybe they will add both at some time - one for launch and one for an expansion with different abilities.
 
ratzombieon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
I like #1 more, but I wouldn't mind both. So I voted both.
thabigredon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
1. be more like company of hero's
2. repeat first step.
Bucketdethon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
Holy shit I get to help blizzard with my favorite games sequel and favorite starcraft character, I`m in!
Chewii101on Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
Dark Templars: Badass 
I'm a huge SC nut....so hard to choose! Both are awesome...can't decide :S
End_Bosson Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
I've never played Starcraft and I'm going to vote to spite you all. Feed me your RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE.
LegioXIIIon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.
I'd pick both if I wasn't too lazy to register.
Rivixon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:35 p.m.
Hard choice. But I'd have to say #1 by a slim margin. 
Pibo47on Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
#1 FOR THIE WIN!
Tarsieron Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
The first one is the best. The second one is too much like a WC3 unit.
Tarsieron Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.
Haha I was going to vote but they make it so you need to log in with your CD key. What is that?? I don't remember my SC CD key... Damn Blizzard and their inconvenient systems.
PowerSerjon Jan. 8, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
Random spawn. Why choose one model when you can get both?
Methdragonon Jan. 8, 2009 at 4:05 p.m.
omg #2 the zer'atai tribe one looks sickk! the dual blade plus the zerg bones on the armor, definitly. also its more of a change from the original starcraft cause its always boring if everything is the same
Captain_Insanoon Jan. 8, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
I would be interested to see the end result of the total voting numbers from this. It could basicallt become a Korean national election

Dig Deeper into StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

The first chapter in the StarCraft II trilogy focuses on the struggles of the Terran race, as seen through the eyes of Commander Jim Raynor, leader of the rebel group Raynor's Raiders.

US Release Date: July 27, 2010

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