Starcraft: Queen of Blades


Book Description

Former marshal-turned-rebel Jim Raynor has broken away from the power-crazed Emperor Arcturus Mengsk. Enraged over Mengsk's betrayal of the powerful telepath, Sarah Kerrigan, to the ravenous Zerg, Raynor has lost all faith in his fellow humanity. Yet, in the aftermath of Mengsk's treachery, Raynor is plagued by strange visions of Char -- a deadly, volcanic world haunted by horrifying alien creatures. As the nightmares grow in intensity, Raynor begins to suspect that they may not be figments of his imagination -- but a desperate form of telepathic contact. Convinced that the woman he loves is still alive, Raynor launches a hasty mission to rescue Kerrigan from Char. But deep beneath the planet's smoldering surface, Raynor finds a strange chrysalis...and is forced to watch in horror as a terrible, all-too-familiar entity rises from it. Before him stands a creature of depthless malice and vengeance... Sarah Kerrigan: the Zerg Queen of Blades.




StarCraft


Book Description




Starcraft II: Flashpoint


Book Description

The explosive novel based on the eagerly anticipated StarCraft II video game expansion, Heart of the Swarm! The sinister zerg leader no longer commands her legions of bloodthirsty aliens against the humans of the Koprulu sector, all thanks to the combined courage and tenacity of Jim Raynor, General Horace Warfield, and a mismatched team of Dominion soldiers and outlaw rebels. Although the queen is no more, Sarah Kerrigan is very much alive. The woman who once controlled countless alien minds in a rampage across the stars has been spirited away by the man who dethroned her. Now Arcturus Mengsk’s Dominion armada is on her heels, roaring for blood. Jim Raynor will need to test his strength, his wit, and his loyalties against impossible odds to protect the woman he loves. StarCraft II: Flashpoint bridges the events that take place in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and the upcoming StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. Featuring never-before-seen glimpses into Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan’s past, this novel opens a window into a world of passion, action, and adventure.




Playing to Win


Book Description

Winning at competitive games requires a results-oriented mindset that many players are simply not willing to adopt. This book walks players through the entire process: how to choose a game and learn basic proficiency, how to break through the mental barriers that hold most players back, and how to handle the issues that top players face. It also includes a complete analysis of Sun Tzu's book The Art of War and its applications to games of today. These foundational concepts apply to virtually all competitive games, and even have some application to "real life." Trade paperback. 142 pages.




StarCraft Field Manual


Book Description

Blizzard Entertainment’s StarCraft saga has captivated millions of players worldwide since its initial release in 1998. A genre-defining military strategy and sci-fi adventure, gamers are drawn to StarCraft’s iconic central characters, Sarah Kerrigan and Jim Raynor, and its thrilling storyline chronicling the battle between the scrappy Terrans, mystifying Protoss and terrifying Zerg swarm. Published in anticipation of the latest expansion, Legacy of the Void, StarCraft Field Manual draws on more than a decade’s worth of lore to create an all-encompassing collector’s item for fans, filling in every detail of the game’s extensive tech, races and units. A visually distinctive, in-world overview of the entire StarCraft franchise, this unique book unveils new details about the wide range of combat forces and technology employed by each of the three primary races within the game universe. A definitive field-guide, original illustrations pair with an engaging narrative that showcases all of the vital statistics, origins, lore and other interesting facts that have emerged in each expansion. This beautiful hardback edition is an ideal gift for StarCraft fans.




StarCraft: Evolution


Book Description

An action-packed novel that ushers in a new age of adventure in the critically acclaimed StarCraft series from Blizzard Entertainment The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thrawn pens the latest chapter in the stunning StarCraft saga, building on the game’s rich legacy to create an unforgettable new story. After nearly a decade of brutal warfare, three mighty factions—the enigmatic protoss, the savage zerg, and the terrans, humanity’s descendants in the sector—have entered a cease-fire, but the peace is tenuous at best. When the sudden restoration of an incinerated planet is brought to light, tensions erupt. Neutrality swings back to hostility, and old enemies are accused of developing biological weapons to reignite the bitter conflict. An expedition of terran and protoss soldiers and researchers is deployed to investigate the mysterious zerg planet and its inhabitants’ intentions. But the lush alien landscape is host to other denizens, creatures shrouded in shadow, and should they be unleashed, they will change the fate of the entire galaxy.




Cinematic Art of StarCraft


Book Description

For more than two decades, players have led the zerg, protoss, and terrans into battle for galactic dominance in StarCraft, StarCraft II, and multiple campaign expansions. The Cinematic Art of StarCraft offers a detailed view into the history and philosophy of Blizzard's revolutionary cinematics team. Focusing on the craft and storytelling of cinematics and filled with anecdotes from the creators, The Cinematic Art of StarCraft gives fans a unique peek into the cinematics that have wowed millions of fans across the Koprulu sector.




Starcraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga


Book Description

This second novel based on the bestselling computer game describes the world of Bhekar Ro as a wasteland. When a violent storm unearths an alien artifact, Bhekar Ro becomes the greatest prize in the Terran Sector. Now, forces from the Zerg, the Portoss, and Humanity converge to claim the lost secrets of the most powerful species the universe has ever known.




The Game Starcraft


Book Description

""The Game Starcraft"" explores how a single video game has revolutionized global gaming, strategy, and artificial intelligence. This book delves into Starcraft's profound impact on e-sports, strategic thinking, and AI development, highlighting its role in bridging cultural divides and inspiring military tacticians. The game's influence extends far beyond entertainment, serving as a powerful tool for understanding and enhancing human cognitive abilities, particularly in strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure. The book traces Starcraft's evolution from its 1998 release to its current status as a global phenomenon, examining its mechanics, role in professional gaming, and contributions to AI research. It draws on empirical studies, interviews with professional players, and insights from cognitive scientists and military strategists to support its arguments. The narrative explores how Starcraft has become a unique laboratory for studying human decision-making and influencing machine learning algorithms. Written in an engaging style, the book balances academic rigor with accessible language, making complex concepts understandable to a general audience interested in technology and computers. It offers practical insights on applying Starcraft-inspired strategies to real-world problem-solving and addresses controversies surrounding gaming addiction and the ethics of e-sports. By examining Starcraft's journey, the book provides a compelling exploration of how virtual worlds can shape our reality and push the boundaries of human and artificial intelligence.




StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils


Book Description

One marine squad, led by young upstart Jim Raynor and giant Tychus Findlay, are prepared to battle a corrupt government as it works for interplanetary domination in this action-packed thriller set in the StarCraft universe. For the poor, hardworking citizens of the Confederacy’s fringe worlds, the Guild Wars have exacted a huge toll. Swayed by the promise of financial rewards, a new batch of recruits joins the fight alongside a slew of mysteriously docile criminals—and a few dubious military leaders. Eighteen-year-old Jim Raynor, full of testosterone and eager to make things right at home, ships off to boot camp, but he soon discovers that the official mission is not what he’s really fighting for. For the first time ever, StarCraft enthusiasts will learn the ori­gins of the enduring friendship between Jim Raynor and the streetwise soldier Tychus Findlay. Watch as they battle on the front lines of a fierce interplanetary war and bear witness to the Confederacy’s rank corruption—corruption so reprehensible that it rains immeasurable death and destruction upon the government’s own people.