[Let's Play] Real Time Strategy: StarCraft (Original)

Background

Gaming and game design is one of the most important standards for ICT-3. Designing high quality games requires that you play games too! For this assignment, students will have some time to play a Real Time Strategy (RTS) game: StarCraft.

StarCraft was published by Blizzard and followed the hugely popular WarCraft and WarCraft II RTS games. StarCraft takes place in a futuristic setting and depicts the battle between Terrans, Protoss, and the Zerg. The Terrans are the human race of the future. The Protoss are an intelligent, highly advanced alien civilization fighting for their homeworld. The Zerg are an Insectoid, hive-mind race assimilating all life forms that stand against them.

StarCraft went on to become a huge commercial and critical success. It is widely considered one of the best RTS games of all-time. It was one of the first games to have a professional e-sports scene. It was especially popular in South Korea, and professional StarCraft players were able to earn a good living playing the game.

Source: StarCraft via Wikipedia.

Pre-Play Questions [5 Points]

Please answer the following questions in your journal. Label this assignment "Pre-Play: StarCraft". Write in complete sentences.

1. Have you played any Real Time Strategy games before? If yes, which games? If no, why not?
2. Do you like games that require fast thinking, resource management, and tactical combat? Explain why or why not.
3. Do you think that you will enjoy this type of game?

Playing the Game

Students will play in groups of four at a time. Students will play a 15-minute timed game. During the game the objective will be to:

1. Collect the two main resources: crystals and Vespene gas.
2. Build structures that allow you to train troops, build tanks, and research upgrades.
3. Defend your base from attack by the other players.
4. Attack other players and destroy their armies.

Post-Play Questions [5 Points]

1. Did you enjoy the game? Why or why not?
2. What strategies did you use during the game? Were they effective? Why or why not?
3. Was the game easy to play? Did the controls make sense? Did you understand the point of the game?
4. What features stood out, good or bad, such as graphics, multiplayer experience, sound, or the challenge?
5. Would you want to play this game again? Why or why not?
6. Do you think the content of this game was appropriate for your age group? Why or why not?