StarCraft 2 Single Player: In-engine Briefing Room, Dialogue Trees, Cash Upgrade System

During a demonstration of the StarCraft II single player campaign, several new features were shown that significantly increase the scope of the story and gameplay, including the ability to choose your own mission progression through a star map display. Beginning with an in-engine cutscene, the camera pulled backward through space, pushing through the bridge of a Terran Battlecruiser. The BC was revealed to be the Hyperion, with a grizzled Jim Raynor standing around a briefing display, amongst others. The characters were very highly detailed, and a Blizzard representative noted that they had cooperated with the Blizzard cinematic department to achieve that level of effect. In a surprising development, the demonstration took a turn for the adventurous--with a click of the mouse, a dialogue tree was opened between Raynor and the marine from the StarCraft II trailer, Tycus. The player can interact with characters in the briefing room as in an adventure game, with storyline advances and gameplay information both being provided as a result. As missions progress, these cutscenes and discussions will revolve around current events. Clicking on an elevator saw Raynor traveling down to the Hyperion's armory, but not before an encounter with a disgruntled crew member, who complained about some recent development. Raynor soon pushed passed the jerk and had a chat with Chief Engineer Swan, a gruff grease monkey who will provide technical information and sell upgrades. Yes, units and abilities can be unlocked through a cash-upgrade system. Players will earn the cash through mission completion. Raynor then accessed a map of the solar system, which laid out the surrounding planets, as well as the planet the Hyperion was currently orbiting, Mar Sara. By clicking on Mar Sara, the player can learn ancillary story information through text and narrated slide-shows. The crowd was finally left with one last scene, as Raynor walked down an empty hallway. The lights blacking out in succession, a sharp musical note revealed Zeratul, a character from the original game. "I bring tidings of doom," said the Protoss warrior. "The Xel'Naga have returned. The cycle nears its end. The artifacts are the key." "To what?" Raynor said, to which Zeratul replied, "The end of all things," before falling to his knees, apparently wounded.