In Defense of Starcraft 2's story

First off, Retcons:

1.) In Brood War Duran flat out states that he serves a "higher power" and it is abundantly clear that he and his boss have no problem manipulating the zerg, and that their plans involve the hybrids. The plot point was there as far back as brood war. The dark voice is the "higher power"

2.) Blizzrd confirmed that the only real change the dark voice did was force the overmind to focus entirely on the protoss. If you think about it, the Protoss really weren't all that suitable for assimilation. The psychic link that values individialism as well is utterly antithetical to the centralized hivemind, they are damn near impossible to assimilate, and they were REJECTED AS FAILURES by the Xel naga. By all rights, they really shouldn't qualify. If the Overmind had his way he probably would have assimilated others forcefully while leaving the protoss alone.

3.) Raynor did certainly have some sort of feelings for kerrigan (his attempts to persuade her not to go on that mission at tarsonis, his storming out when mengsk abandoned her, his desire to save her, helping the protoss to finish the fight after learning what happened to kerrigan, his willingness to trust her, the shock and outrage when she murdered fenix, the fact that he tried to appeal to her even as he denounced her). What's more, he still wanted to kill her in wings of liberty (his outrage when zeratul tells him that kerrigan has to live.) He loved what she was, and blamed himself for failing to save her, but he hated the queen of blades and wanted her dead.

4.) Kerrigan had some feelings for Jim as well (She lets Jim go on char even though the Gravemind explicitly ordered her to "kill all terrans", meaning that the relationship they had was fairly strong, and the fact that she instantly decides to take a break after raynor calls her a monster shows that something about what he said definately registered.

5.) The books confirm that the reason kerrigan became a sociopath was because the infestation completely shattered her sense of compassion, right and wrong, and morality.

6.) The Zerg are made partially of void energy, and the artifact explicitly absorbs zerg energy (meaning zerg dna).

Story

1.) The reason raynor helped hanson is because her situation is almost identical to what kerrigan went through on tarsonis (both were thrown under a bus by mengsk for convenience) so he couldn't in good consience let that happen to another individual or her people. The fact that he gave up prematurely on Tarsonis helped cause the queen of blades birth also encouraged him to side against selendis.

2.) Mengsk would not have had tychus continually monitered (continuous audio and video feed would be noticed, and they were already suspicious enough as it was. Since raynor has psychics of his own, having too many back up plans would be deplorably stupid.)

3.) Starcraft I had some really cheesy ass lines as well (I swear to god I cannot get through tassadar's final speech without giggling.)

4.) This is still only the jumping off stage. For all we know, Heart of the swarm probably has the most development

5.) The Evil Kerrigan routine was getting REALLY STALE. They had only one plot that could last for one game; If kerrigan is redeemed, they have more leeway to tell a great story (coming to terms with her sins and the darkness in her soul, evading the people who want her dead, rehabilitating the zerg etc).

6.) Narud and Duran definately have some connection, but it's unknown what it is.

7.) Each of the missions tackle raynor's demons (prophecy forces him to face his hatred of kerrigan, covert and rebellion help him fight his cynisim that the fight against mengsk can't be won, colonists allow him to succeed where he failed on tarsonis) while valerian's offer helps him fully regain his idealism (giving him a real chance to save kerrigan and actually make a difference in the galaxy)

8.) There are cases of dicatators who grow soft once in power (Hitler became extremely lazy after getting to power)

Starcraft 2 isn't perfect, but people who claim that it "ruins" the series are being a little silly

Thanks for the post Darth. The topic is heavily discussed right now in the "Fantastic Critique" thread. Have you seen it?

~RS

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DarthYam

The psychic link that values individialism as well is utterly antithetical to the centralized hivemind, they are damn near impossible to assimilate

---

The khala doesn't value individualism at all.

Quote:

---

and they were REJECTED AS FAILURES by the Xel naga. By all rights, they really shouldn't qualify. If the Overmind had his way he probably would have assimilated others forcefully while leaving the protoss alone.

---

They weren't rejected as failures, that part was a retcon of sorts, in that that part of the manual is from the Protoss' point of view. The Protoss were already suitable because they attained purity of form. The Xel'Naga left because the breakdown of their psychic link was seen as a "conflict of essence".

Quote:

---

(his outrage when zeratul tells him that kerrigan has to live.)

---

I didn't really see any of that. :P

There was zero conflict in Raynor about whether Kerrigan should be saved or killed. His promise from BW, instead of being used as a conflict for Raynor, was just wasted.

Quote:

---

4.) Kerrigan had some feelings for Jim as well (She lets Jim go on char even though the Gravemind explicitly ordered her to "kill all terrans", meaning that the relationship they had was fairly strong, and the fact that she instantly decides to take a break after raynor calls her a monster shows that something about what he said definately registered.

5.) The books confirm that the reason kerrigan became a sociopath was because the infestation completely shattered her sense of compassion, right and wrong, and morality.

---

I don't think anybody disagrees.

Quote:

---

6.) The Zerg are made partially of void energy, and the artifact explicitly absorbs zerg energy (meaning zerg dna).

---

They use void energy, they are not made of it. All Xel'Naga tech is capable of manipulating Xel'Naga species because those species were created through Xel'Naga protogenetics.

Quote:

---

1.) The reason raynor helped hanson is because her situation is almost identical to what kerrigan went through on tarsonis (both were thrown under a bus by mengsk for convenience) so he couldn't in good consience let that happen to another individual or her people. The fact that he gave up prematurely on Tarsonis helped cause the queen of blades birth also encouraged him to side against selendis.

---

Nobody disagrees with this.

Quote:

---

2.) Mengsk would not have had tychus continually monitered (continuous audio and video feed would be noticed, and they were already suspicious enough as it was. Since raynor has psychics of his own, having too many back up plans would be deplorably stupid.)

---

Agreed.

Quote:

---

3.) Starcraft I had some really cheesy ass lines as well (I swear to god I cannot get through tassadar's final speech without giggling.)

---

Bah, Tassadar's speech was appropriate and you just don't appreciate the best character in this franchise. :P

At least it was remotely believable. Not like Raynor's lame speech that somehow accidentally gets broadcast over the radio where he says "but the one thing I know....is that some things....are just worth fighting for". Then after that, the clouds part and a ray of sunshine shines down on the Marines. That right there was a giggle-fest.

Quote:

---

4.) This is still only the jumping off stage. For all we know, Heart of the swarm probably has the most development

---

Hoping that the writing inexplicably gets better and that Blizz writers will suddenly start doing something different = fail. Our feedback will mean nothing when all the expos are out and nothing can be changed.

Quote:

---

5.) The Evil Kerrigan routine was getting REALLY STALE. They had only one plot that could last for one game; If kerrigan is redeemed, they have more leeway to tell a great story (coming to terms with her sins and the darkness in her soul, evading the people who want her dead, rehabilitating the zerg etc).

---

WoL's evil Kerrigan routine was stale. In Brood War she verbally eviscerated her enemies and it was awesome.

Quote:

---

7.) Each of the missions tackle raynor's demons (prophecy forces him to face his hatred of kerrigan, covert and rebellion help him fight his cynisim that the fight against mengsk can't be won, colonists allow him to succeed where he failed on tarsonis) while valerian's offer helps him fully regain his idealism (giving him a real chance to save kerrigan and actually make a difference in the galaxy)

---

Fair point.

Quote:

---

8.) There are cases of dicatators who grow soft once in power (Hitler became extremely lazy after getting to power)

---

Even though the Dominion somehow managed to miss that the Odin was not being piloted by the correct pilot, my problem with Mengsk isn't that he became complacent:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jabber Wookie

The Valerian missions are confusing as Mengsk seems to be childlike when his son steals half his fleet while he stares through a screen saying "You did what?!? Bah!" (portraying him as some cartoon villain that is easily fooled)

---

Mengsk, instead of being the interesting character he was in StarCraft, is suffering from pure evil syndrome, just like Infested Kerrigan and the Dark Voice, and it's boring as hell. I mean, just look at his line from that leaked cinematic:

Hidden Content:

"Don't judge me you wretched monstrosity! Take your bloody vengeance and choke on the ashes!"

Even though I'm looking at a possible final cinematic out of context, this line is still garbage, and I wish SC2 had some more interesting characters for villains. Blizzard's villains seem to suck so bad.

Right after zeratul says "though justice demands that she die for her crimes only she can save us" raynor's like "wait...you're talking about kerrigan." Then he shouts at zeratul about how he's popped up out of nowhere after 4 years. Before he was fairly happy to see Zeratul, if a little bit confused. This shows that, at the very least, zeratul's comments hit some sort of nerve. he also says "it'd be better if she died on tarsonis rather then become the queen of blades." He loves the old kerrigan and feels bad about failing to save her (considering that his failure resulted in her killing 8 billion people i don't blame him) but he utterly despises the monster that she's become. And I actually liked the fire and fury speech, if partially due to the nice shout out they gave to a former dead employee. It shows that the old jim is back and that the stage is set for the final battle. As for mengsk's leaked line; the dude's about to die, and he's always been defiant. It's more like "well if i'm going to die i might as well show balls before I go". Also, the khala hivemind does have some individual presence. And yes, the evil bitch routine in brood war would have had little to go. Oh, she'll be evil and try to conquer everything. There's only one goal she'll work for, and eventually it'll get dull

I heard a joke where a Blizzcon attendee asks, "Is Brood War canon?" and Metzen says "No."

Seriously, there is absolutely no allusion to Brood War in SC2 beyond reference that one of the mercenary squads you can buy are UED survivors. Anyone who picks up SC2 without playing SC1 will have no idea who Duran is, neverless that Narud is Duran spelled backward.

I think this is one of the things that pisses me off the most. Completely ignoring ~30 friggin missions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DemolitionSquid

I heard a joke where a Blizzcon attendee asks, "Is Brood War canon?" and Metzen says "No."

Seriously, there is absolutely no allusion to Brood War in SC2 beyond reference that one of the mercenary squads you can buy are UED survivors. Anyone who picks up SC2 without playing SC1 will have no idea who Duran is, neverless that Narud is Duran spelled backward.

I think this is one of the things that pisses me off the most. Completely ignoring ~30 friggin missions.

---

While I mostly agree... there was no actual NEED to reference BW at all. Think about it - SC Vanilla ended with the Dominion gaining power, the Protoss in shambles, Raynor's forces also gathering their strength and Kerrigan in control. BW ended on the exact same point. Sure, at the start of BW Kerrigan had little to no control over the Zerg and there were some wonderful character developments, not to mention how great the UED were. But when vanilla ended, we didn't know Kerrigan had no control over the Zerg, in fact the epilogue states that she's now ready to take control. Basicly, it's a bit of Status Quo is God.

... EXCEPT for two rather major points:

1. Stukov - What the hell? He was infested, then deinfested, and he's not mentioned anywhere? What happened to him? Did rocks fall? He was with Raynor last if I recall correctly, so where the hell did he go and why was there no mention of him? Yeah, I know his deinfestation was stupid, but it was still Canon and as forced as it was, it gave us back one hell of an interesting character.

2. Duran and the Hybrids - Zeratul knows Duran is making Hybrids. So what does he do? Go by himself on a wild goose chase for prophecies and artifacts, instead of... I don't know... excercising his authority as leader of all Dark Templar to build an army to defend against the eventual arrival of the Hybrids and maybe... just maybe... SEND FUCKING SCOUTS TO DO THE SCOUTING FOR HIM. And why didn't he tell Raynor he knew who it was that was making the Hybrids? It's a long shot, sure, but Duran might appear somewhere and Raynor should know not to trust him. Or anyone that has, I don't know, a similar name to him. Like someone called, oh, off the top of my head... Narud?

The first point should've been addressed in WoL, and the second point... well, we already know Zeratul is now senile, so it's not that surprising.

There is actually a lot of allusion to Brood War in SC2: in the campaign intro Mengsk gives an interview commemorating the end of the Brood War, Zeratul mentions the evacuation of Aiur in Echoes of the Future, Spartan Company are UED survivors (as you mentioned), Raynor mentiones helping out Protoss twice (destruction of the Overmind and the Brood War) an most importantly there is a summary Brood War in both WoL manual and story section on SC2 Battle.net site. As for Dark Origin, it is mentioned in both BW summary and The Dark Templar Saga (the latter being an introduction to SC2).

As for me, I think WoL story was pretty damn good. It has its flaws, for sure, but they are not that severe or damaging to the quality of the plot. All in all, WoL is a worthy successor and sequel to an excellent story of SC vanilla-BW and the flaws such as lack os Zerg missions and a small amount of Protoss' are justified by the fact that WoL is just the prologue of the actual SC story (and it is a complete story!). I basically agree with Angry Joe's review for the most part. I don't agree with Gradius about Mengsk's character was ruined: in fact, we don't even see him much in WoL and when we see him, he is basically the same as in SC1. For instance, he rage quits on Kate in the same way he tells Raynor "I will rule this sector or see it burn to ahes around me" at the end of Rebel Yell and his dialogue with Valerian just before the attack on Char is consistent with the way how their relation ship is established by the novels. BTW, about the Xel'Naga considering Protoss a failure: they did consider them a failure in the way that the purity of form was tainted by the loss of the communal link. Zamara's revelation doesn't really contradict that, since the Xel'Naga chose not to continue their experiment with the Protoss, they were done with them.

I also don't consider Dark Voice to be all that cliché: he is actually very consistent with Duran as he present himself in Dark Origin (the whole thing about the completion of the cycle, culmination of history and remolding the universe). And, after all, there is still very little information we have about the Voice (or rather the Fallen One, since Dark Voice is used as his name in subtitles and not his in-universe name). And let's face it: this deal about the cosmic cycle, the Hybrid and the deepened mystery around Duran introduced in Dark Origin was one of the coolest things in StarCraft storyline. Duran's speech at the end of the mission is really atmospheric, maybe even giving the creeps (not in the way of scaring you stiff, of course) when you listen to it.

Raynor's oath to kill Kerrigan wasn't wasted. As DarthYam said above, Raynor is clearly shocked and upset when Zeratul tells him Kerrigan has to live. But when Raynor sees Zeratul's memories he begins ti understand why he shouldn't kill her. Furthermore, later he meets Valerian, who has the way to revert Kerrigan back to her human form, make her the woman she was before becoming Queen of Blades, who killed Fenix and committed all these atrocities. And Raynor knows Sarah and Queen of Blades are NOT the same, in fact, she outright tells him this when she defeats his forces shortly after he rebirth. Metzen also addressed this matter on BlizzCon and confirmed that Valerian's offer changed everything for Raynor: now he can not just destroy the Queen of Blades, but bring the woman he loves back. IMHO Raynor's speech before the final mission was actually cool. Cliché, but cool. At least it was appropriate. The thing I didn't like, however, was Warfield bragging about how he held the line while Raynor hid under rock, which is an extremely outrageous thing to say, considering the fact that Raynor helped to save the universe from the Overmind. But that's a flaw of Warfield's initial attitude rather than story.

As for the Overmind revelation, this is completely not a retcon. In fact, the only thing it does is give us a bit of insight on what was behind the Overmind growing beyond Xel'Naga constraints, attacking them and setting out to assimilate the Protoss (as described in SC manual). The “formed with thought and reason, but not free will” part only means that this directive was introduced when the Overmind was being created (another implication that Dark Voice is a renegade Xel'Naga) and “the destruction of our people” changes absolutely nothing: we know very well from SC vanilla that to the Zerg destruction of the Protoss = their assimilation. This revelation also does a good thing in giving us more information on for what (aside from assimilating a powerful Terran psychic) the Overmind used his most powerful agent. It doesn't change anything in Overmind's intentions, only reveals that it used Queen of Blades to resist Dark Voice's control (making Tassadar admire her creation, because she can free the Zerg from Voice's manipulation in the future, thus helping to stop the Hybrid somehow): he was still going to assimilate the Protoss, creating the perfect Swarm, only trying to do this without Dark Voice's manipulation. To sum up, this information from Tassadar only reveals that Dark Voice threw the original course of the cycle in turmoil by staging the destruction of the Xel'Naga in the surprise attack of the Swarm and putting the Zerg on the collision course with the Protoss to create its own version of the Hybrid, thus completing the cycle (in Dark Voice's fashion). Furthermore, BTK directly says in the interview:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BlizzPlanet's interview with Brian T. Kindregan, one of SC2 writers

BP : One of the complaints a lot of people had with StarCraft was the revelation of the Overmind not being such a terrible space beast to begin with. A lot of comparisons have actually been between the Zerg and Warcraft’s Horde now. Do you feel that is at all viable?

BTK: Actually I don’t and it’s tricky to answer this because of the big background story we have coming up. All I can say is that they are very different entities and aspects. So I definitely understand the feelings of the community about the revelation of the Overmind. I even overheard the word retcon used which is not correct. There is no reinvention of who Overmind is. We are all learning more about what was going on in the background. There is still more to learn. I can say this is not an attempt to make the zerg noble or anything like that. It’s just the beginnings of the revelation about the fact that there were a lot of background forces at work. Basically the races and factions of Starcraft have a lot more going on than what people might think. In fact, I would say that there is a much more complex and deeper and richer thing going on with them.

---

In other words, Tassadar's revelation isn't meant to change anyting in Overmind's storyline. It was still going to assimilate the Protoss and Tassadar is still a hero who saved the universe, making his way into his people's legends.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

1. Stukov - What the hell? He was infested, then deinfested, and he's not mentioned anywhere? What happened to him? Did rocks fall? He was with Raynor last if I recall correctly, so where the hell did he go and why was there no mention of him? Yeah, I know his deinfestation was stupid, but it was still Canon and as forced as it was, it gave us back one hell of an interesting character.

2. Duran and the Hybrids - Zeratul knows Duran is making Hybrids. So what does he do? Go by himself on a wild goose chase for prophecies and artifacts, instead of... I don't know... excercising his authority as leader of all Dark Templar to build an army to defend against the eventual arrival of the Hybrids and maybe... just maybe... SEND FUCKING SCOUTS TO DO THE SCOUTING FOR HIM. And why didn't he tell Raynor he knew who it was that was making the Hybrids? It's a long shot, sure, but Duran might appear somewhere and Raynor should know not to trust him. Or anyone that has, I don't know, a similar name to him. Like someone called, oh, off the top of my head... Narud?

The first point should've been addressed in WoL, and the second point... well, we already know Zeratul is now senile, so it's not that surprising.

---

Metzen said in one of the interwiew's that they weren't going to involve Stukov in WoL storyline (beacuse Metzen wasn't fond of the deinfestation story), but he may appear in future SC2 installments, as Bill Roper liked Resurrection IV and wished this plotline to be continued.

The second point was actually covered by The Dark Templar Saga: Twilight. The novel serves as an introduction to SC2.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

well, we already know Zeratul is now senile, so it's not that surprising.

---

Zeratul is NOT senile. The major setback in SC2 is, of course, the most unfortunate death of Zeratul's voice actor Jack Ritschel (R.I.P.), who did the FANTASTIC job in SC vanilla and BW. It would have been terrific to hear his voice in SC2, especially considering Zeratul's storyline involving him trying to avert the universe's destruction by the Hybrid. Fred Tatasciore did a good job, but IMO was unable to fully recreate the awesome feel of Ritschel's acting as Zeratul. This is why Zeratul sounds somewhat senile. I got an impression that he always speaks i nthe tone he spoke to Duran in their dialogue at the end of Dark Origin (in fact, parts of it were very similiar to his voice in WoL).

Af for Narud, I think it would be unoruginal for Blizzard to make him just another gisguise of Duran. There is a far more interesting version in the community: "Emil" means "rival" and Narud is interested in the Xel'Naga legacy. So, his conceptual role in the storyline may be that of Duran's rival on some sort. A knowledgeable scientist, who works will work with "the good guys" to stop Duran. Especially considering that "Narud" is "Duran" backwards.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

In other words, Tassadar's revelation isn't meant to change anyting in Overmind's storyline. It was still going to assimilate the Protoss and Tassadar is still a hero who saved the universe, making his way into his people's legends.

---

Just because Brian K said it's not a retcon does not make it so.

I can write a novel where Yoda is 6 feet tall and then say to fans "but it's not a retcon because "shhh....as you will see, that soup he ate on the planet when talking to Luke contained magic ingredients that made him tall and he would shrink back later on - so he was shrinked at all the scenes we saw him" and then say "but it's not a retcon...nothing about Yoda changed, he still talks backwards!!!."

I hope one day Brian K decides to come either here or unto the battle.net forums and say hi, or maybe even (dreaming here) write an argument or two, but so far we haven't heard a thing from Blizz writers, just one Moderator's post about how they're supposedly there behind the scenes and would someday maybe say something *through the moderators* - post at Andrew's thread

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gradius

The khala doesn't value individualism at all.

---

I may be misunderstanding you (you could mean "individualism" in the Dark Templar way), but pasrt of Khala philosophy is that separate individual and independent entities are bond by mental empathic link.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gradius

Mengsk, instead of being the interesting character he was in StarCraft, is suffering from pure evil syndrome, just like Infested Kerrigan and the Dark Voice, and it's boring as hell. I mean, just look at his line from that leaked cinematic:

Hidden Content:

"Don't judge me you wretched monstrosity! Take your bloody vengeance and choke on the ashes!"

---

That cinematic is fake beyond mortal comprehension :) I just don't believe that Metzen who created these character and handled their development very well would do something as stupid a shown in the said cinematic with them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

Just because Brian K said it's not a retcon does not make it so.

---

O RLY? o_O And the fact that he is its author suddenly doesn't mean anything? I already wrote a detailed analysis on whether this revelation is retcon or not, you can read it a few posts above. And if BTK says it's not a retcon, it is not a retcon, because he and Metzen know what they indended to do when creating this segment of the plot. Furthermore, BTK elaborated that there is more information on this matter to be revealed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

As for the Overmind revelation, this is completely not a retcon. In fact, the only thing it does is give us a bit of insight on what was behind the Overmind growing beyond Xel'Naga constraints, attacking them and setting out to assimilate the Protoss (as described in SC manual). The “formed with thought and reason, but not free will” part only means that this directive was introduced when the Overmind was being created (another implication that Dark Voice is a renegade Xel'Naga) and “the destruction of our people” changes absolutely nothing: we know very well from SC vanilla that to the Zerg destruction of the Protoss = their assimilation. This revelation also does a good thing in giving us more information on for what (aside from assimilating a powerful Terran psychic) the Overmind used his most powerful agent. It doesn't change anything in Overmind's intentions, only reveals that it used Queen of Blades to resist Dark Voice's control (making Tassadar admire her creation, because she can free the Zerg from Voice's manipulation in the future, thus helping to stop the Hybrid somehow): he was still going to assimilate the Protoss, creating the perfect Swarm, only trying to do this without Dark Voice's manipulation. To sum up, this information from Tassadar only reveals that Dark Voice threw the original course of the cycle in turmoil by staging the destruction of the Xel'Naga in the surprise attack of the Swarm and putting the Zerg on the collision course with the Protoss to create its own version of the Hybrid, thus completing the cycle (in Dark Voice's fashion). Furthermore, BTK directly says in the interview:

In other words, Tassadar's revelation isn't meant to change anyting in Overmind's storyline. It was still going to assimilate the Protoss and Tassadar is still a hero who saved the universe, making his way into his people's legends.

---

Overmind's sole purpose was growth and Evolution

1. Let's read the SC Manual together:

"The
Overmind coalesced into a semi-sentient
being that represented the primary drives
and instincts of all of the Zerg strains. As
time passed, the Overmind developed the
rudiments of personality and advanced
intellect." p52

The Overmind slowly developed advanced intellect (not that important, but is also different than "formed with...")

"As the swarms continued to grow and
strengthen, the Overmind turned its thoughts
towards its own future. It realised that within
a few short centuries its race had assimilated
all of the indigenous life upon Zerus. It knew
that to further evolve the swarm, the Zerg
would need to leave Zerus. The Overmind
began to reach out with its senses, looking
for something - anything - which would
provide them with transport from this world.
That opportunity soon arrived."

The Overmind grew and so did its Evolutionary ambitions, so it launched the Swarm at the XelNaga to escape and expand and through assimilating the XelNaga, learned of the K.Crystals and the exceedingly powerful race -the Protoss

"The pride in their achievements proved to be
the fatal downfall of the Xel’Naga. The
Overmind, while slowly expanding itself into
the void of space, became aware of the mighty
Xel’Naga world-ships hovering ominously
above the skies of Zerus. The Xel’Naga, having
kept a constant watch on the Overmind, were
horrified to find that it had actually severed their
psychic link, effectively hiding itself from their
view. With its need to consume driving its
minions into a lustful frenzy, the Overmind
launched the now space-faring Zerg swarms at
the unsuspecting Xel’Naga. The ancient race did
what they could to stem the tide of the everadvancing
Zerg onslaught, but in the end their
efforts were in vain. Wave after wave of Zerg
swarms hammered the reinforced hulls of the
Xel’Naga’s ships with no signs of abatement.
Within only a few hours the Zerg overran the
defenses of their creators and laid waste to the
Xel’Naga fleet.
As the greater whole of the Xel’Naga race was
consumed by the raging, genetic whirlwind of
the Zerg, the Overmind gained the knowledge
and insights of its masters. The Overmind
processed thousands of sentient beings into
itself, causing it to grow far more powerful than
it had ever imagined. It learned the secrets of
the sacred Khaydarin Crystals, and began to
incorporate the energies of these Crystals into
its own. Through the intimate knowledge
of evolution and proto-genetic physiology
gained from the Xel’Naga, the Overmind
was able to increase the level of sentience
in many of the higher Zerg strains, while
still keeping them fully under its control.
Through dissecting the memories of the
Xel’Naga, the Overmind was made aware
of the myriad races that had at one time
or another been influenced by the ancient
race. The Xel’Naga had kept a detailed
genetic history of each race, giving the
Overmind a clear understanding of their
respective strengths and weaknesses.
Most importantly, the Overmind learned
of an exceedingly powerful race that lived
near the galaxy’s fringe known only as
the Protoss. The Overmind knew then that
the Protoss and the Zerg would eventually
be caught in an inevitable, apocalyptic
conflict."

He continued his Evolutionary expansion. He sought to assimilate that powerful race, Protoss, as well and constantly searched for them for that purpose and thought of plans how to find and overpower them.

"The Zerg left the lifeless, burning world
of Zerus and laid waste to every planet
they found along their path towards the
Protoss Homeworld. As they progressed
slowly through the trackless dark between
the stars, the Zerg assimilated only the
strongest of the races that they came
across. The swarm continued to build
steadily, ever-increasing in size and
power. As they progressed, the Overmind
sent out numerous deep-space probes
that scouted ahead of the swarm,
searching for new worlds to plunder.
Despite innumerable victories, the
Overmind was greatly disturbed. The
Overmind was aware that the Protoss had
become a highly psionic race, able to
bend and warp the very fabric of reality
to their whims. It sought a way to counter
the awesome might of the Protoss, but
found no answers among the genetic
strains it devoured."

He found humans to be useful in empowering the Swarm to defeat the Protoss, whom he wanted to assimilate, as stated above, because they were a very powerful race and a worthy opponent - see bellow

"Despite innumerable victories, the
Overmind was greatly disturbed. The
Overmind was aware that the Protoss had
become a highly psionic race, able to
bend and warp the very fabric of reality
to their whims. It sought a way to counter
the awesome might of the Protoss, but
found no answers among the genetic
strains it devoured."

"On the verge of despair, the Overmind
made an amazing discovery. One of its deepspace
probes had relayed the location and
vital statistics of a race that occupied a series
of nondescript worlds, right under the
shadow of the Protoss."

"Yet, from out of the cold void of space, a
mighty fleet of Protoss warships emerged to
combat the Zerg invasionary forces. The
Overmind, anxious to learn what it could
about the enigmatic Protoss, decided to let
them hamper the initial infestation process.
Holding its ravenous warriors at bay, the
Overmind watched as the Protoss razed the
colony of Chau Sara. Apparently, the Protoss
were aware that the Hive Spores had already
despoiled the planet and seeking to prevent
further infestation, incinerated the planet.
Such decisive action pleased the
Overmind, who could only marvel at how
the Protoss wrought absolute devastation
with such grace and power. Knowing that
the coming conflict would be the greatest
challenge of its existence, the Overmind
pulled its forces back to observe how the
Protoss, and Humanity, would react next."

Let's summarize:

1) The Overmind was made to control the Swarm and was at first a primitive being
2) It evolved thought and reason
3) It developed ambition to strengthten itself and the Swarm and leave the home planet (Not through some lack of free will)
4) It continued to develop to a point of being able to severe the psionic link with the XelNaga, waited for the right moment, and tore Xels to shreds
5) In assimilating them, it learned of other powerful races, most significantly the protoss (Not through some Dark Voice)
6) It sought to assimilate the Protoss to perfect the Evolutionary build up of the Zerg, just like with other races, but this one was unique as a very powerful psionic race, of the XelNaga, and a great challenge to overcome. (Not because of an overriding directive that gave the Overmind no other choice).

The manual paints a beutiful picture of the Overmind - an Evolutionary perfectionist being and all of his decisions were coherent, logical and consistent. He outgrew Xels, sought to assimilate more, developed curiosity and desire to find Protoss, sought agents to help him as he knew it'd be a challenge, and proceeded accordingly.

You say WOL doesn't alter that? Let's see:

1) The overmind is a noble, courageous creature who was mind controlled
2) The Overmind aparently did not want to do what he did in SC1, why else would Tassadar defend him so and tell Zeratul he was not an abamination?

You claim the Overmind would have done everything the same, just without the Dark Voice's control? And that's why Tassadar is defending him? Well, let me ask you, what the heck is the difference then, to Tassadar, whether the Dark Voice controlled him when he practically destroyed their home world?

It's like saying, "Hitler invaded Soviet Union because the Japanese put an overriding directive in a form of a chip into his head, but guess what, he would have done it anyway."

Moreover, if you say destruction of the people = assimilation, then the assimilation was the overriding objective, then why was there even a need to use the directive in the first place? He wanted to do the same thing to then kill himself? It's redundant and pointless; the dramatic nature of the scene and Tassadar's passionate defense of the Overmind clearly establishes that the whole ordeal of invading Aiur was Dark Voice's work. And that is why the Overmind is a courageous creature? Tassadar didn't say "Oh look Zeratul, I know the dude would have wiped us out anyway, but he was just following orders, let's give him props!" (which would sound crazy, IMO)

The manual also explains that the Zerg's heirarchy was absolutely linear - Overmind -> Cerebrates -> Overlords -> Queens. So let's see: He was pissed at the fact that he was brainwashed to do what he wanted to do anyway, decided to commit suicide on par with his buddy Tassadar because the girl he assimilated would then take over the swarm that would have to do the same evolutionary routine anyway, but just without this Devil voice dude who apparently was behind the scenes? Convincing...

So the big bad Devil Dark Voice Diablo whom we never heard about before masterminded everything with magic made the OM attack the XelNaga and not the evolutionary development and choice to escape constraint? Sounds like a retcon of character to me.
=============

As to Brian K. He is the writer of SC2, who wasn't involved at first -http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/07/interview_starcraft_ii_lead_wr.php - it was not his baby and neither was SC1.

SC1 was written by Metzen and James Phinney who later left the company. He was the lead designer and producer of SC1 - http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/James_Phinney; Metzen admits to creating the world with him: http://sclegacy.com/feature/10-blizz...tzen-interview .

Metzen said Phinney was the designer and he was the writer, but admits that the process was extensively collaborative; we do not know what part of creation of characters, editing and so forth went in between them, but we do know that Phinney has shown his skills as a writer elsewhere too - he wrote the script and story for the game Sacrifise which was highly praised for such by IGN. This leads me to speculate (yes just speculate, as I don't have direct evidence to conclude anything) that Phinney may have had a much bigger role in SC1's story than may appear. Again, I'm not sure what the lead designer would do in the development, but here is what Wikipedia offers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_de...velopment_team

"A game designer is a person who designs gameplay, conceiving and designing the rules and structure of a game.[55][56][57] Development teams usually have a lead designer who coordinates the work of other designers. He is the main visionary of the game.[58] One of the roles of a designer is being a writer, often employed part-time to conceive game's narrative, dialogue, commentary, cutscene narrative, journals, video game packaging content, hint system, etc.[59][60][61]".

But let's just assume that Brian K was the original writer who deeply cared about continuity and the established character development, writers too make mistakes (see my example with 6 foot Yoda above). Saying "oh that is not X" when rational evidence points to the fact that is X is irrelevant, even if the statement is made by the person who wrote about X. Yea...he's wrong.
=========

As for you claiming that the leaked video is fake, it has been discussed at length in another thread. We do not know what kind of a game, WOL or HOTS it was for, and how many other drafts there may be, but evidence points to the fact that it is a Blizzard cutscene.

1) http://www.thethirdfloorinc.com/#cinematics-f4d3b - This company's logo is on the video - http://kotaku.com/5709838/ending-lea...s-next-chapter

2) Before it was taken out, there was another video which was Almost an exact replica of the "New Getysburg" video with Kerrigan abandoned by Mengsk, with a few other elements (zerglings with wings, etc) not polished graphics and a different female voice actress - that as we know, made it to the game in an almost exact way.

3) Graidius said (can't find the link) in a post that the male voice in the leaked pre-visualisation is Metzen's.

4) Blizzard took down every possible video, including from the original source and YouTube ones with a message that read "Removed by request of Activision Blizzard"...they were at it for a while, till finally gave up trying to chase people's links.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

There is actually a lot of allusion to Brood War in SC2: in the campaign intro Mengsk gives an interview commemorating the end of the Brood War, Zeratul mentions the evacuation of Aiur in Echoes of the Future, Spartan Company are UED survivors (as you mentioned), Raynor mentiones helping out Protoss twice (destruction of the Overmind and the Brood War) an most importantly there is a summary Brood War in both WoL manual and story section on SC2 Battle.net site. As for Dark Origin, it is mentioned in both BW summary and The Dark Templar Saga (the latter being an introduction to SC2).

---

Putting in miniature nods to there actually BEING a Brood War doesn't mean that it is being acknowledged in the slightest. These are just small continuity nods, nothing more, they don't mention anything about what actually happened in BW. And no, the novels,

website, etc. don't matter - we're talking about the game.

Quote:

---

As for me, I think WoL story was pretty damn good. It has its flaws, for sure, but they are not that severe or damaging to the quality of the plot. All in all, WoL is a worthy successor and sequel to an excellent story of SC vanilla-BW and the flaws such as lack os Zerg missions and a small amount of Protoss' are justified by the fact that WoL is just the prologue of the actual SC story (and it is a complete story!). I basically agree with Angry Joe's review for the most part. I don't agree with Gradius about Mengsk's character was ruined: in fact, we don't even see him much in WoL and when we see him, he is basically the same as in SC1. For instance, he rage quits on Kate in the same way he tells Raynor "I will rule this sector or see it burn to ahes around me" at the end of Rebel Yell and his dialogue with Valerian just before the attack on Char is consistent with the way how their relation ship is established by the novels. BTW, about the Xel'Naga considering Protoss a failure: they did consider them a failure in the way that the purity of form was tainted by the loss of the communal link. Zamara's revelation doesn't really contradict that, since the Xel'Naga chose not to continue their experiment with the Protoss, they were done with them.

---

Mengsk acted like a whiny crybaby. They could've easily replaced his dialogue with whiny sounds and there would be no impact to the story. He's not threatening, he can't be taken seriously, he's a joke. The rage quit with Kate was the most in-character moment for him, I agree, but it had NOTHING to do with that speech. When you heard "I will rule this sector, or see it burnt to ashes around me!" you felt that he would really do it. He was determined to fulfill his goals, and if he couldn't, he'd make sure everyone paid the price for not realizing how great he is.

And no, 'being done with them' doesn't mean 'they were a failure'. In fact, it means quite the opposite, it means that their job was done with them, that what they wanted to do was done and so now they had to find another species with purity of essence.

Quote:

---

I also don't consider Dark Voice to be all that cliché: he is actually very consistent with Duran as he present himself in Dark Origin (the whole thing about the completion of the cycle, culmination of history and remolding the universe). And, after all, there is still very little information we have about the Voice (or rather the Fallen One, since Dark Voice is used as his name in subtitles and not his in-universe name). And let's face it: this deal about the cosmic cycle, the Hybrid and the deepened mystery around Duran introduced in Dark Origin was one of the coolest things in StarCraft storyline. Duran's speech at the end of the mission is really atmospheric, maybe even giving the creeps (not in the way of scaring you stiff, of course) when you listen to it.

---

The Dark Voice has NOTHING to do with Duran as a character. The Dark Voice is boastful, prideful and in your face. Duran was also prideful, but he was slick and a smooth talker. Even when he had Zeratul by the balls, he was still suave and well-spoken. The Dark Voice is pretty much "I'll destroy everything!" ad infinitum. With Duran you had a sense that there was more to his plan, that it wasn't just a means to destroy everything, but that he actually wanted to accomplish something. With the Dark Voice it's just...

"What do you wanna do?"
"I wanna destroy all sentient life."
"... Why?"

Quote:

---

Raynor's oath to kill Kerrigan wasn't wasted. As DarthYam said above, Raynor is clearly shocked and upset when Zeratul tells him Kerrigan has to live. But when Raynor sees Zeratul's memories he begins ti understand why he shouldn't kill her. Furthermore, later he meets Valerian, who has the way to revert Kerrigan back to her human form, make her the woman she was before becoming Queen of Blades, who killed Fenix and committed all these atrocities. And Raynor knows Sarah and Queen of Blades are NOT the same, in fact, she outright tells him this when she defeats his forces shortly after he rebirth. Metzen also addressed this matter on BlizzCon and confirmed that Valerian's offer changed everything for Raynor: now he can not just destroy the Queen of Blades, but bring the woman he loves back. IMHO Raynor's speech before the final mission was actually cool. Cliché, but cool. At least it was appropriate. The thing I didn't like, however, was Warfield bragging about how he held the line while Raynor hid under rock, which is an extremely outrageous thing to say, considering the fact that Raynor helped to save the universe from the Overmind. But that's a flaw of Warfield's initial attitude rather than story.

---

Actually, he didn't really see why Kerrigan had to live. No one did. Not even Zeratul - it was just an INCREDIBLY vague prophecy by a species that got themselves almost completely killed by their own creation, deciphered by people, who just seconds ago were pawns of an agent of someone, who has all the motivation in the world to mislead anyone, who might try to stop them. If Razsagal was so easily infested by Kerrigan, how could Zeratul POSSIBLY trust people, who were in contact with a nigh-invulnerable half-zerg creature for possibly years?

But, yes, agree with you that the deinfestation was necessary. I'm not saying it was GOOD, but it was necessary to continue the storyline. And the speech at the end was HORRENDOUS. Okay, this is a point of opinion, but that was the most cliche, over-the-top scene in the whole game, and frankly, one of the most cliche scenes I've EVER witnessed in my entire life. He tries to give an impromptu speech a few of his men? Okay. One of his soldiers overhears him and... I really don't know how, somehow broadcasts him all over the camp. Okay, there should be speakers everywhere, he does need ot give orders globally. But what, was he just accidentally standing near the microphone? Or is the radio the soldier played with actually connected to a built-in microphone in Raynor's suit and he can broadcast what he's saying around the camp at all times? I'd think the commanding officer needs a wee bit more privacy than that. But, okay, I'll ignore even that, as stupid as it was. ... But then the clouds part... there's a ray of sunshine... and it starts to RAIN. It starts to rain WATER. On a TOXIC, VOLCANIC PLANET. I'm sorry, but the surface temperature on that planet could allegedly 'burn a man alive'. A ray of light through the clouds should be met with screams for mercy from whatever deity you ascribe to. Not to mention that IT CAN'T RAIN PURE WATER ON A VOLCANIC PLANET. That would be ACID rain, because of all the sulphur and various other wonderfully toxic components in a volcanic planet's air.

Quote:

---

Zeratul is NOT senile. The major setback in SC2 is, of course, the most unfortunate death of Zeratul's voice actor Jack Ritschel (R.I.P.), who did the FANTASTIC job in SC vanilla and BW. It would have been terrific to hear his voice in SC2, especially considering Zeratul's storyline involving him trying to avert the universe's destruction by the Hybrid. Fred Tatasciore did a good job, but IMO was unable to fully recreate the awesome feel of Ritschel's acting as Zeratul. This is why Zeratul sounds somewhat senile. I got an impression that he always speaks i nthe tone he spoke to Duran in their dialogue at the end of Dark Origin (in fact, parts of it were very similiar to his voice in WoL).

---

The reason I think Zeratul is senile is not because of the voice actor. Yes, he sounds nothing like the original, they made a horrible choice when they selected him to replace Ritschel. I'm not saying he's bad, I'm saying he sounds nothing like the original. He should at least TRY. The reason I think Zeratul is senile is because of the voice direction and the lines. He's constantly confused about things he KNOWS. He actually wondered out loud who could have created Ma'ar! What the hell? Ma'ar was created by the same guy, because of whom you're now running around trying to decipher a bloody prophecy! And don't give me the 'But the new players don't know who Duran is!' bullshit. That's right, they don't know - Blizzard did a sucky job of establishing what was going on, which is why now Zeratul forgets that he forgot to take his alzheimer's pills.

Quote:

---

That cinematic is fake beyond mortal comprehension I just don't believe that Metzen who created these character and handled their development very well would do something as stupid a shown in the said cinematic with them.

---

Actually.... no it wasn't. It was just a storyboard. A very, very rough version of what the final cinematic will be. And frankly, the characters were handled EXACTLY how I expected them to be handled, they were the exact same people they were in WoL.

Quote:

---

O RLY? o_O And the fact that he is its author suddenly doesn't mean anything? I already wrote a detailed analysis on whether this revelation is retcon or not, you can read it a few posts above. And if BTK says it's not a retcon, it is not a retcon, because he and Metzen know what they indended to do when creating this segment of the plot. Furthermore, BTK elaborated that there is more information on this matter to be revealed.

---

So... if the original author of Harry Potter suddenly says that Hagrid is Harry's biological father, despite all evidence to the contrary, and despite how many inconsistencies that brings up - it would not be a retcon?

How about if George Lucas says that The Force is not a mysterious universe-binding power, but instead telekinetic organisms in people's bloodstream? Would that not be a retcon? Can you image? Hahaha, that would be so ridiculous! ... Fuck.



EDIT: HOOOOOOLY crap. You beat me to the wall of text there, RussianSpy. Hat's off. Now I gotta spend the next hour or so just reading what you wrote. XD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Putting in miniature nods to there actually BEING a Brood War doesn't mean that it is being acknowledged in the slightest.



Mengsk acted like a whiny crybaby.

---

Hey at least it's consistent with him been a whiny cry baby in BW. And you whine about the lack of acknowledgment. You and Mengsk are like peas in a pod, to be sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

EDIT: HOOOOOOLY crap. You beat me to the wall of text there, RussianSpy. Hat's off. Now I gotta spend the next hour or so just reading what you wrote. XD

---

Haha, most of it is the quoted SC manual, so don't give me that much credit because you seem to have beaten me, but thanks anyway! :)

RussianSpy27, the major flaw of your logic is that thought and reason doesn't mean advanced intellect. Overmind's developed to be more intelligent, but that doesn't mean it hasn't thought and reason when it was created. And the directive to destroy the Protoss does not mean the knowledge of them was implanted into the Overmind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

The Dark Voice has NOTHING to do with Duran as a character. The Dark Voice is boastful, prideful and in your face. Duran was also prideful, but he was slick and a smooth talker. Even when he had Zeratul by the balls, he was still suave and well-spoken. The Dark Voice is pretty much "I'll destroy everything!" ad infinitum. With Duran you had a sense that there was more to his plan, that it wasn't just a means to destroy everything, but that he actually wanted to accomplish something. With the Dark Voice it's just...

"What do you wanna do?"
"I wanna destroy all sentient life."
"... Why?"

---

True, but don't forget that it's only because that the first (and only) time we directly see Dark Voice is when the Hybrid have already awakened and were destroying the Protoss. Dark Voice (as Duran) obviously acts like a devious and cunning mastermind when setting up his completion of the cycle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

... But then the clouds part... there's a ray of sunshine... and it starts to RAIN. It starts to rain WATER. On a TOXIC, VOLCANIC PLANET. I'm sorry, but the surface temperature on that planet could allegedly 'burn a man alive'. A ray of light through the clouds should be met with screams for mercy from whatever deity you ascribe to. Not to mention that IT CAN'T RAIN PURE WATER ON A VOLCANIC PLANET. That would be ACID rain, because of all the sulphur and various other wonderfully toxic components in a volcanic planet's air.

---

I don't remember the cinematic very well, but maby it WAS acid rain?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

He actually wondered out loud who could have created Ma'ar! What the hell? Ma'ar was created by the same guy, because of whom you're now running around trying to decipher a bloody prophecy!

---

Actually, he DOES not know who created Maar. No, he knows it was Duran, but he doesn't know WHO Duran really is nor what the "far greater power" Duran serves is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Mengsk acted like a whiny crybaby. They could've easily replaced his dialogue with whiny sounds and there would be no impact to the story. He's not threatening, he can't be taken seriously, he's a joke.

---

Actually, the only thing Arcturus says to Valerian is "I've just received the reoprt that you've taken half the fleet. Care to explain yoursekf, boy?" and it didn't sound whiny one damn bit and was perfectly sensible thing to ask in this situation. And then he says in the same style as in SC1 "I love your gumption son, but are way in over your head. What meakes you think you have the experience to-" and then Raynor interrupts him and they have their brief arguement about Sarah, whom Mengsk calls "treacherous bitch"... just like like after Duke's death in BW.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Actually.... no it wasn't. It was just a storyboard. A very, very rough version of what the final cinematic will be. And frankly, the characters were handled EXACTLY how I expected them to be handled, they were the exact same people they were in WoL.

---

We are yet to see any proof that this cinematic has anyhing to do with Blizzard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

So... if the original author of Harry Potter suddenly says that Hagrid is Harry's biological father, despite all evidence to the contrary, and despite how many inconsistencies that brings up - it would not be a retcon?

---

Does Tassadar's revelation change anything or not is another question, which I addressed earlier (in this post and one of the previous), so yeah, that revelation wasn't retcon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

And no, 'being done with them' doesn't mean 'they were a failure'. In fact, it means quite the opposite, it means that their job was done with them, that what they wanted to do was done and so now they had to find another species with purity of essence.

---

And I didn't say that 'being done with them' = 'they were a failure'. But the Xel'Naga did Protoss as flawed creation because of the loss of communal link.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

How about if George Lucas says that The Force is not a mysterious universe-binding power, but instead telekinetic organisms in people's bloodstream? Would that not be a retcon? Can you image? Hahaha, that would be so ridiculous! ... Fuck.

---

:facepalm: NOWHERE in Episode I or any following canonical sources it says that midichlorians are the Force. It's just established that the midichlorians are what makes people Force-sensitive. The concept of the Force as universe-binding energy field generate by living beings hasn't changed since A New Hope.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

RussianSpy27, the major flaw of your logic is that thought and reason doesn't mean advanced intellect. Overmind's developed to be more intelligent, but that doesn't mean it hasn't thought and reason when it was created. And the directive to destroy the Protoss does not mean the knowledge of them was implanted into the Overmind.

---

Dude, good job on quickly looking through what I said and picking on the minor point. (Same goes for you seeking proof of the video and Blizzard - you also seem to have not read my part that addresses that).

The thought and reason and creation are not so important.

The manual establishes that the Overmind wanted to assimilate the Protoss BECAUSE of the evolutionary drive that he used for EVERY OTHER RACE, with the exception that the Protoss he found to be a special goal, like a special trophy for the hunter. His rationale and reasoning behind it was explained clearly in the manual.

-He made the choice to expand
-He made the choice to sever the link with the XelNaga
-He made a choice to assimilate species

All of the above for Evolutionary growth that he, as a growing and developing organism has been reaching for - that's why he's the Over-Mind - his mind kept on growing and growing and growing till not even XelNaga could contain him. He then reaches out to other planets, keeping Protoss in mind as a special target.

It was clearly NOT any overriding directive that rid him of free will and otherwise made him into a noble creature that was not an abomination (per Zeratul's wording). According to Tassadar in WOL, Protoss' destruction came from the Dark Voice mind controlling the Overmind; had he done it "anyway" like you claim, it would make NO sense for Tassadar to defend him. Tassadar's meaning is clear - Evil Dark Voice is responsible for Protoss' deaths.

And since it was all because his free will was taken away, his character and evolutionary goals established by SC1 and the manual have been retconned. From an awesome evolutionary being and a masterful and brilliant character, he becomes a brainwashed and "noble" puppet who did and said everything because the "Devil" told him to.

(Side note: Sci-Fi became Fantasy Warcraft 3, where Overmind = Lich King, Kerrigan = Arthas and Dark Voice = Demon Archimonde)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

Dude, good job on quickly looking through what I said and picking on the minor point.

---

Thank you, I'm glad you reasonably admire my fine skills.

Tassadar's revelation doesn't disprove Overmind's evolutionary drive and choice to expand and assimilate species. The directive only focused him on the Protoss. The choices Overmind made were its own. The only reason why Tassadar defends the Overmind is because it created the Queen of Blades, which is currently universe's last hope.

Quote:

---

NOWHERE in Episode I or any following canonical sources it says that midichlorians are the Force. It's just established that the midichlorians are what makes people Force-sensitive. The concept of the Force as universe-binding energy field generate by living beings hasn't changed since A New Hope.

---

A retcon of a retcon? It never ends!!!!!

The wiki says Midi-chlorians are important for all life and that life is not possible without them. They are attuned to the Force. The Jedi/ Sith have learned to listen and co-ordinate them. They may not be the Force per se but they have a greater attunement to it such that you can reasonably say that the Force comes from them.

Quote:

---

Tassadar's revelation doesn't disprove Overmind's evolutionary drive and choice to expand and assimilate species. The directive only focused him on the Protoss. The choices Overmind made were its own. The only reason why Tassadar defends the Overmind is because it created the Queen of Blades, which is currently universe's last hope.

---

Tassadar is trying to convince Zeratul that his hatred of the Overmind is misplaced but uses the words noble and courageous for something that decided to destroy (kill/assimilate/whatever) his entire species? This does not gel with your quote.

Besides, Kerrigan's infestation was NOT the be-all, end-all. Kerrigan was just unlucky enough to be stranded for the Overmind to take - I don't understand all this importance that has suddenly been attributed to Kerrigan to be the only saviour of the universe. She started and developed into a larger-than-life but relatable character to something that is terribly shallow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

Thank you, I'm glad you reasonably admire my fine skills.

Tassadar's revelation doesn't disprove Overmind's evolutionary drive and choice to expand and assimilate species. The directive only focused him on the Protoss. The choices Overmind made were its own. The only reason why Tassadar defends the Overmind is because it created the Queen of Blades, which is currently universe's last hope.

---

No problem, I also did that to your first post the first time around :)

1) How could the choices been his own if he "was formed without free will?"

2) If someone were to tell me before WOL came out that the Overmind's character hinted even remotely at being suicidal, I would have laughed my ass off. He would have done the same except supposedly set himself up to be killed?

See, none of that stuff was set up in SC1, and without being set up/preparing the readers/viewers, how can that be deemed good writing? I played through SC1 having a fixed and logically established picture about the Overmind's character and now it's all changed and I'm told he was a being without free will?
==========

What do you think of the leaked vid now by the way?

As an addendum to RussianSpy's questions

How could an overriding directive be so strong to direct the Overmind to kill the Protoss and yet do nothing to stop it from committing suicide? Then it must not be overriding. The why use that word? Sloppy writing? The directive must be around to do its ultimate job, which means it should have a sense of self-preservation too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turalyon

Tassadar is trying to convince Zeratul that his hatred of the Overmind is misplaced but uses the words noble and courageous for something that decided to destroy (kill/assimilate/whatever) his entire species? This does not gel with your quote.

---

I think you need to listen more closely to what Tassadar says: he uses the term "courage" (btw, he doesn't call the Overmind noble) in context of it creating the Queen of Blades and then elaborates that she can free the Zerg from slavery, which will save the universe (I suppose this will be explained deeper in HotS). He doesn't say that the Overmind was harmless, he only admires its act of creating that which will help save creation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

1) How could the choices been his own if he "was formed without free will?

---

The "but not free will" part was just referring to the fact that there was a directive in the Overmind, not that it can't make its own choices (in fact, it did make a choice to create Queen of Blades, for instance), so no problem there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

2) If someone were to tell me before WOL came out that the Overmind's character hinted even remotely at being suicidal, I would have laughed my ass off. He would have done the same except supposedly set himself up to be killed?

---

Actually, there's nothing to support the idea of the Overmind setting itself up to be killed, neither Tassadar's words or anything else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

What do you think of the leaked vid now by the way?

---

I still think it's totally fake. Blizzard putting it down may even further suggest it is fake, since it was being presented as the ending of HotS, which (if it's fake) violates Blizz's copyright. Company's logo may very well be replacated and the voice may not be Metzen's (in fact, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be him even if the cinematic wasn't fake, since neither Raynor nor Mengsk are voiced by Metzen).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turalyon

A retcon of a retcon? It never ends!!!!!

---

Funny fact: there was a retcon of a retcon in Shadow of the Xel'Naga. Liberty's Crusade retcons Norad II's fate after Duke's retcon by saying that it self-destructed, but Shadow of the Xel'Naga retcons it back to the game's version by saying that Norad III is an extensively refitted and renamed Norad II.

http://sclegacy.com/feature/2-encycl...berty-story#IN UTTER DARKNESS

First, Zeratul's discovers of how the Overmind was overjoyed to die:
================================================== ===
Zeratul
The second Overmind tendril. I sense... death... and joy?

Zeratul
The third Overmind tendril. I sense... satisfaction... in a plan set in motion long ago... and... fear of the future?
========================

Then, if you go to talk to people on the ship:
==========================
CANTINA:

Tosh
You look... haunted. You've been seein' into the spirit world, and you learned somethin' you don't like. It's... Kerrigan?

(amused) What've you been seein' this time, man? (sober) Wait...I see it too. Kerrigan?

Raynor
Seems the Overmind made Kerrigan to... free the zerg... from somethin'. Put 'em on a collision course with the protoss.

It's all gone wrong. Everything's... twisted, and there's something out there that's set to destroy us all.

Tosh
Zerg... protoss. These are strong races. How terrible - how powerful - is something that plays with their fates?

BATTLE.NET LOADING SCREEN:

Zeratul learned that the Overmind was enslaved by an outside force and compelled to attack the protoss. In a final act of defiance, the Overmind created the Queen of Blades to free the zerg.
===============================

Doesn't seem like the Overmind was gonna do the same thing anyway to me - the parts clarify Tassadar's meaning behind "overriding purpose" very well.

Good call on the "noble" part though :).

Quote:

---

I think you need to listen more closely to what Tassadar says: he uses the term "courage" (btw, he doesn't call the Overmind noble) in context of it creating the Queen of Blades and then elaborates that she can free the Zerg from slavery, which will save the universe (I suppose this will be explained deeper in HotS). He doesn't say that the Overmind was harmless, he only admires its act of creating that which will help save creation.

---

My bad. To me, the way Tassadar praises the Overminds actions seemed like all it sins against the Protoss race were forgiven (which seems to be going the same way for Kerrigan). It's jarring to think that he gives praise for the creation of Kerrigan who almost ended up killing what remaining Protoss were left.

This "freeing Zerg" business seems funny as well. Are they going to retcon the nature of the Zerg as being peaceful creatures that fly off into the sunset and peacefully co-exist with other living organisms? As they are now, "free" Zerg would just cause a rampage much like when there was no Overmind to give them a sense of direction.

Quote:

---

The "but not free will" part was just referring to the fact that there was a directive in the Overmind, not that it can't make its own choices (in fact, it did make a choice to create Queen of Blades, for instance), so no problem there.

---

Makes you wonder why they just didn't write it that way then - we wouldn't have all these differences in opinion. Having no free will gives the message that it cannot make choices.

Didn't someone called Asimov write a story or a theory about sentient AI slaves making decisions that go against their programming? I believe it normally involves the AI reasoning their way around their lack of free will to somehow convince themselves that what they're doing is not defiant and not out of bounds. I don't think that such hard science has ever been Blizzards style, but I can accept it as a placeholder theory until we get the official word.

Actually, that loading screen is the only thing to suggest that the Overmind didn't want to attack the Protoss. However, this could be a case of bad wording.

In fact, this loading screen doesn't indicate that the Overmind wasn't going to assimilate the Protoss. It says "the Overmind was enslaved by an outside force" and then that "in a final act of defiance the Overmind created the Queen of Blades", i.e. defiance to the subtle control of an outside force (Dark Voice).

Edit by Gradius: Don't double post, use the http://sclegacy.com/forums/images/da...ttons/edit.gif button.

I think we can both agree that the writing was bad. However, the difference between your argument is mine in this case (and in the case of the video) is that I'm taking the most obvious interpretation of what is quoted and you're taking the very unlikely one and trying to show "oh but yours isn't 100% - it could have been a glitch or it could have been A,B,C"

Let me start by repeating that Raynor basically told Tosh that " free the zerg... from somethin' [Dark Voice]. Put 'em on a collision course with the protoss." Do I need to translate hick talk that "Put 'em" means "Which put them Zerg on" :P

Also, you can't take the quote out of context like that. It says compelled to attack the Protoss. Yes, it's one word, but one word can mean everything.

com·pel   
[kuhm-pel] Show IPA
verb, -pelled, -pel·ling.
–verb (used with object)
1.
to force or drive, esp. to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
2.
to secure or bring about by force.
3.
to force to submit; subdue.
4.
to overpower.

I completely agree with Turalyon that Tassadar's words indicated forgiveness.

If Hitler was brainwashed by the Japanese would have done what he did anyway, I wouldn't have ever called him courageous in such a passionate way.

As for the video, it's actually a pre-visualization, where lip sync was not done yet, so Metzen's voice was used before utilizing actual voice actors.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

True, but don't forget that it's only because that the first (and only) time we directly see Dark Voice is when the Hybrid have already awakened and were destroying the Protoss. Dark Voice (as Duran) obviously acts like a devious and cunning mastermind when setting up his completion of the cycle.

---

Once someone completes their goal it doesn't change their character. Duran was completely sure of himself when he told Zeratul about the hybrids. He was certain he had already won - then why would he act differently, considering in both occasions he is certain of his victory? I'd agree that Duran is likely an agent of the Dark Voice, but the evidence points to them not being the same entity.

Quote:

---

I don't remember the cinematic very well, but maby it WAS acid rain?

---

It most certainly was not acid. If it was, Raynor would've had his face dissolve from the splashing raindrops falling on his armor. And seriously, that's what you got out of that? Not that it was unbelieveably over the top, but your biggest hitch was that I might be wrong about the rain not being acid?

Quote:

---

Actually, he DOES not know who created Maar. No, he knows it was Duran, but he doesn't know WHO Duran really is nor what the "far greater power" Duran serves is.

---

Riddle me this. If you witness some person you don't know, wearing a ski mask, murdering someone in the street, then the police ask you who did it, would you answer 'I don't know.'? Because that's what you're saying. Technically you don't know who that man was, nor if he was working for someone. Or would you say 'It was a guy in a ski mask.' then proceed to give as full a description as you can? The fact that Zeratul doesn't know Duran's life story doesn't excuse the idiotic line 'Who could have created this monstrosity?', because he KNOWS it was Duran. Who or what Duran is, or who he works for doesn't matter - it was Duran.

Quote:

---

Actually, the only thing Arcturus says to Valerian is "I've just received the reoprt that you've taken half the fleet. Care to explain yoursekf, boy?" and it didn't sound whiny one damn bit and was perfectly sensible thing to ask in this situation. And then he says in the same style as in SC1 "I love your gumption son, but are way in over your head. What meakes you think you have the experience to-" and then Raynor interrupts him and they have their brief arguement about Sarah, whom Mengsk calls "treacherous bitch"... just like like after Duke's death in BW.

---

What made you think I was talking about that scene and that scene alone? I'm talking about Mengsk's transparent propaganda on the news channel and his absolute incompentence as a ruler. He couldn't figure out there was a spy in the Odin? Okay, I'll buy that. But then he can't stop some small rag-tag army from broadcasting a message that would completely ruin him? And earlier he didn't just destroy the stupid adjutant the second he found out what it knew, but instead had to transport it BY TRAIN, giving ample time for it to be destroyed? And he found out that Valerian had took half his fleet DAYS after it was done? Okay, so nobody bothered to tell him that HALF HIS FUCKING FLEET IS MISSING? Then Mengsk is a moron, because he's allowed himself to be surrounded by imbeciles.

Quote:

---

Does Tassadar's revelation change anything or not is another question, which I addressed earlier (in this post and one of the previous), so yeah, that revelation wasn't retcon.

---

I'll let you duke it out on that front with RussianSpy, he seems to have a better grasp of it than me.

Quote:

---

And I didn't say that 'being done with them' = 'they were a failure'. But the Xel'Naga did Protoss as flawed creation because of the loss of communal link.

---

Earlier you said they were a failure.

Quote:

---

BTW, about the Xel'Naga considering Protoss a failure: they did consider them a failure in the way that the purity of form was tainted by the loss of the communal link.

---

Which is it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Once someone completes their goal it doesn't change their character. Duran was completely sure of himself when he told Zeratul about the hybrids. He was certain he had already won - then why would he act differently, considering in both occasions he is certain of his victory? I'd agree that Duran is likely an agent of the Dark Voice, but the evidence points to them not being the same entity.

---

Dark Voice (I'm sure that he is Duran one way or another: mostlikely Duran being his human "facade" of sorts) only acted differenly only because there was no need to be manipulative anymore: the Hybrid already awakened and were laying waste on the universe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

It most certainly was not acid. If it was, Raynor would've had his face dissolve from the splashing raindrops falling on his armor. And seriously, that's what you got out of that? Not that it was unbelieveably over the top, but your biggest hitch was that I might be wrong about the rain not being acid?

---

If you reread my post, you will see that I said I think Raynor's speech was rather cool, albeit cliche. That's my opinion, your opinion is yours and it's entirely different story. Two individuals will have two opinions on this matter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

What made you think I was talking about that scene and that scene alone?

---

The fact that we barely even see Mengsk in WoL aside from this scene and his propaganda against Raynor was present there only in his short speech about Raynor being a threat to Dominion... which was a perfectly logical thing for Mengsk to say as he is going out of his way to portay Raynor as a terrorist.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

And earlier he didn't just destroy the stupid adjutant the second he found out what it knew, but instead had to transport it BY TRAIN, giving ample time for it to be destroyed? And he found out that Valerian had took half his fleet DAYS after it was done? Okay, so nobody bothered to tell him that HALF HIS FUCKING FLEET IS MISSING? Then Mengsk is a moron, because he's allowed himself to be surrounded by imbeciles

---

There is nothing to suggest that Mengsk EVEN KNEW what information that Adjutant contained. As for the fleet part, we don't know how much time passes between Valerin taking the fleet and Arcturus receiving the report.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Riddle me this. If you witness some person you don't know, wearing a ski mask, murdering someone in the street, then the police ask you who did it, would you answer 'I don't know.'? Because that's what you're saying. Technically you don't know who that man was, nor if he was working for someone. Or would you say 'It was a guy in a ski mask.' then proceed to give as full a description as you can? The fact that Zeratul doesn't know Duran's life story doesn't excuse the idiotic line 'Who could have created this monstrosity?', because he KNOWS it was Duran. Who or what Duran is, or who he works for doesn't matter - it was Duran.

---

Yes, I will say 'I don't know'. But I'll also say 'but this was wearing a ski mask'. Zeratul's knowledge about Hybrid's creators is basically of the sort: he doesn't know who created the Hybrid, but he knows that someone's 'ski mask' is Samir Duran.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Earlier you said they were a failure.

Which is it?

---

You're right, but I didn't say that they were done with the Protoss because they were a failure. My point is that the Xel'Naga recognized the fact of Protoss being a failed creation because their purity of form was sullied by the loss of the communal link, but chose not to interfere with them anymore because they were done with them (since Protoss achieved the purity of form). I apolgized if I wasn't clear enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

Let me start by repeating that Raynor basically told Tosh that " free the zerg... from somethin' [Dark Voice]. Put 'em on a collision course with the protoss." Do I need to translate hick talk that "Put 'em" means "Which put them Zerg on" :P

---

Indeed, Raynor does say "Put 'em on a collision course with the Protoss". He says that this something [Dark Voice] put the Zerg on a collision course with the Protoss and that the Overmind created Queen of Blades to free the Zerg from this something (just as Tassadar says "only she can free the Zerg from slavery" in the mission).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

The fact that Zeratul doesn't know Duran's life story doesn't excuse the idiotic line 'Who could have created this monstrosity?', because he KNOWS it was Duran. Who or what Duran is, or who he works for doesn't matter - it was Duran.

---

If you may, we don't actually know this. Duran said he was an agent of a higher power, and that implies that he's not alone working on the Hybrids. We actually know that both Ulrezaj and Arcturus have been working on creating Hybrids as well, so it's a good question - who did send that Hybrid there? Why?

My handful of cents:

* I never saw the revelation about the Overmind as a retcon, just new information. It might not have been thought out before SC2, but I really don't see how it is a continuity error.

* I have issues with Zeratul not knowing it was Duran who had made the Hybrid, and it is a bit insulting, because it seems Blizzard seemed to think they had to choose between rewarding the faithful fans who waited for 12 years or the newbies who didn't even play the original game, and chose the latter. I wonder what will happen when/if Zeratul meets Duran again. Will he be surprised twice?

* I'm not sure I see Mengsk as being whiny. Also: when playing the game, I didn't feel it was a different character at all.

Hi Elvind,

Thanks for posting. I understand what you're saying. Leaving your third point aside as it's more debatable, I fully agree with your second point.

As to your contention about the Overmind, please read my post #12 and my post # 23

And if you feel like reading something longer, please read Andrew's Battle.net post (discussed at the "Fantastic Critique" thread on this forum) and Gradius' Retcon Article

Neither your posts or mine mean that Elvind has to change his opinion. I'm sure he has his reasons to think as he does, just like you and me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

Dark Voice (I'm sure that he is Duran one way or another: mostlikely Duran being his human "facade" of sorts) only acted differenly only because there was no need to be manipulative anymore: the Hybrid already awakened and were laying waste on the universe.

---

That's what I was saying - Duran wasn't being manipulative at all when he told Zeratul about the hybrids. He was being completely open with the information, but he was much more suave and smooth in his phrasing. The Dark Voice has none of that.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Duran is really the Dark Voice, since we already have tons of character derailment in other areas, with much better established characters than Duran.

Quote:

---

There is nothing to suggest that Mengsk EVEN KNEW what information that Adjutant contained. As for the fleet part, we don't know how much time passes between Valerin taking the fleet and Arcturus receiving the report.

---

Matt informs Raynor that the Dominion is trying to extract a confederate adjutant that they've found, which contains very important information. How would they know it has important information, if they haven't checked it? Even if we assume Arcturus didn't personally know about the adjutant - the ONLY reason someone might be trying to transport it, instead of destroying it on the spot, would be to blackmail Arcturus. And that wasn't even hinted at. Can you give me any other reason to transport it instead of destroying it? It's obvious SOMEONE knew what information it contained.

Quote:

---

Yes, I will say 'I don't know'. But I'll also say 'but this was wearing a ski mask'. Zeratul's knowledge about Hybrid's creators is basically of the sort: he doesn't know who created the Hybrid, but he knows that someone's 'ski mask' is Samir Duran.

---

So he knows it was a guy, who he has met before. He has a concept of the person, who created the hybrid. Why then would he be so shocked at seeing a hybrid and sound like he has no idea who created it? He sounded like he was completely lost on the matter, that it was a total shock to him that the hybrid even exists and that he hasn't the vaguest clue who might be behind it.

Quote:

---

You're right, but I didn't say that they were done with the Protoss because they were a failure. My point is that the Xel'Naga recognized the fact of Protoss being a failed creation because their purity of form was sullied by the loss of the communal link, but chose not to interfere with them anymore because they were done with them (since Protoss achieved the purity of form). I apolgized if I wasn't clear enough.

---

I'm sorry, maybe it's a language barrier, but I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean the Xel'Naga think the protoss are a failure and have completely disregarded them and have no further use for them? Or do you mean that they're still a success, just not as perfect as they hoped they'd be?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FanaticTemplar

If you may, we don't actually know this. Duran said he was an agent of a higher power, and that implies that he's not alone working on the Hybrids. We actually know that both Ulrezaj and Arcturus have been working on creating Hybrids as well, so it's a good question - who did send that Hybrid there? Why?

---

He might not be alone, but Zeratul's line suggests that he's completely lost on the subject, that he has no idea who might have created the hybrids. Where, as you said, he has more than one idea who it might be. He obviously didn't mean 'Which one of the people I know are working on making hybrids created this particular one?'

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karass

Neither your posts or mine mean that Elvind has to change his opinion. I'm sure he has his reasons to think as he does, just like you and me.

---

You're right, he doesn't have to. I was simply pointing out why I happen to disagree :).

As for Gradius' retcon article, while I admire the amount of work he put in in it, there is a great deal of points in it that are actually not retcons: Protoss death animation being teleportation (what their death animation means was never addressed to before QA26), Magistrate not playing an important role in Liberty's Crusade (the novel just focuses mainly on it titular character and the Magistrate is), Terran population (there was no clear information on the sector's population as a whole before SC2 site's planet profiles), Protoss' communication with their dead (Templar Archives weren't retconned and QA26 mentions them), Zeratul wondering who created Maar, Zhakul Preservers (TDTS never says Zamara is the last Preserver, it just says there are no Preservers among Khalai Refugees of Skakuras), Artanis being Tassadar's successor from Episode III (Queen of Blades simply revealed who this character is), etc.

But the aspects of the of SC storyline that actually are retcons (like Duke's rank, etc.) are covered there as well, I've got no problem with this article on this matter.

Duran was merely an overseer of the project when he met zeratul. He's a manipulative bastard sure, but by his own admission he still works on behalf of other individuals (the dark voice). Zeratul knows that Duran wouldn't be able to create or even concieve the hybrid army.

As for the adjuntant; the thing was REALLY HEAVILY ENCRYPTED as seen by the fact that raynor had to give it to orlan. they probably saw that if it was heavily encrypted that it must contain something of value. If you were a government agent and encountered encryption that challenged even the best slicers you had, you'd probably think "wow there must be something really freaking valuable there".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

Or do you mean that they're still a success, just not as perfect as they hoped they'd be?

---

This.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Articorse

He might not be alone, but Zeratul's line suggests that he's completely lost on the subject, that he has no idea who might have created the hybrids. Where, as you said, he has more than one idea who it might be. He obviously didn't mean 'Which one of the people I know are working on making hybrids created this particular one?'

---

A... protoss and zerg hybrid... Gods, an abomination! Who created this atrocity?

What is it about this that "obviously" doesn't mean who created this Hybrid? It seems like the most reasonable and obvious explanation to me. The alternative, asking who has the ability to create Hybrids at all, is not only not what is stated, but inconsistent with his prior knowledge of Dark Origins. Why would you assume this explanation to be true?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RussianSpy27

Hi Elvind,

Thanks for posting. I understand what you're saying. Leaving your third point aside as it's more debatable, I fully agree with your second point.

As to your contention about the Overmind, please read my post #12 and my post # 23

And if you feel like reading something longer, please read Andrew's Battle.net post (discussed at the "Fantastic Critique" thread on this forum) and Gradius' Retcon Article

---

I have actually read all of those, and will try to respond as best as I can, though I might get lost in the maze of information.

Let's keep it to whether the Overmind is a retcon or not (as you say, Mengsk's character understanding is a bit too subjective to argue objectively about). Both the manual and Tassadar does not hold back when it comes to the attributes of the Overmind. Tassadar says it was made with thought and reason, the manual says it got a personality and an advanced intellect.

Let's start with that. I see no retcon there. The Overmind was probably altered after it was created, or at least during. Meaning it was created/formed by the Xel'Naga, and then altered by the Dark Voice.

First of all, this discussion is difficult because we do not know of the Overmind's INITIAL purpose. The Xel' Naga seems to be, at least to me, a race that experiment a lot. They do their first experiment with the Protoss, which fails, and then the Zerg, which fails even more. Because, you know, they get annihilated. My guess is they created the Overmind with the ability to assimilate, both physically and psychically. It has the ability to evolve the Swarm by assimilating new strains. It can also get information. When destroying the Xel' Naga, it learns of the Protoss. When Zeratul kills Zasz, it learns of Aiur. These are all their work.

My guess is that the Dark Voice didn't participate in creating the Overmind, but left his stain on the finished protype. I don't think he did much, only what he thought was enough. Since he seems to be at odds with the Xel' Naga, it is fair to suggest it was because of him they were destroyed. Their demise has been a fact since the manual, but the reason for it has never been mentioned.

"The pride in their achievements proved to be
the fatal downfall of the Xel’Naga. The
Overmind, while slowly expanding itself into
the void of space, became aware of the mighty
Xel’Naga world-ships hovering ominously
above the skies of Zerus. The Xel’Naga, having
kept a constant watch on the Overmind, were
horrified to find that it had actually severed their
psychic link, effectively hiding itself from their
view. With its need to consume driving its
minions into a lustful frenzy, the Overmind
launched the now space-faring Zerg swarms at
the unsuspecting Xel’Naga. The ancient race did
what they could to stem the tide of the everadvancing
Zerg onslaught, but in the end their
efforts were in vain. Wave after wave of Zerg
swarms hammered the reinforced hulls of the
Xel’Naga’s ships with no signs of abatement.
Within only a few hours the Zerg overran the
defenses of their creators and laid waste to the
Xel’Naga fleet."

Read that. There is no reason mentioned for the Overmind's sudden turn. Not until now, with the information about the Dark Voice, has there been a mentioned reason for the Overmind's attack. I vividly remember reading that part of the manual and wondering WHY the Overmind did as it did. DV explains it.

Let's assume I'm right and go with it. So the X'L has created the Overmind with the ability to assimilate, infest, and gain information the more "henchmen" it adds to its Swarm. Also: DV has corrupted the Overmind, having made it destroy the Xel' Naga and learn of the protoss. I'm guessing that, either before or after this event, the Overmind was tampered with to destroy the Protoss. It seems the DV was confident it would find the information on its own, as events such as Zeratul killing Zasz probably wasn't his idea (or maybe not, but let's leave that for another time).

I don't see how this is in violation of anything that happened in SC.

Also, on the subject of how the Overmind could create Kerrigan when he was enslaved: I think it's fair to remind everyone that creating Kerrigan was a chance (Tassadar's words). It wasn't guaranteed that she could free the Zerg, but there was a CHANCE she could. I think the Overmind was able to infest her despite of the directive, because the infestation was not in any way breaking the directive. On the contrary. Infestation was, and still is, a type of Zerg assimilation, which we know they have been doing for a long time. To question the infestation of Kerrigan and not the infestation of other Terrans, or the development of new strains such as Lurkers, Devourers, Brood Lords, Roaches, Banelings, Overseers, etc, is to me a bit odd. The Overmind did what it could with the tools it had been given. Infesting Kerrigan was possible. The Overmind couldn't free itself, but it could assimilate someone strong enough to take over IF it should die. This wasn't predicted, because assimilation was supposed to be a key trait of the Overmind, and removing it would probably mean it couldn't assimilate/destroy the Protoss.

Speaking of its death, I don't think the Overmind committed suicide. I think it did exactly as it was manipulated into doing. That it died, tells more about the fact that the Protoss race wasn't enslaved. We know that DV failed with his initial attempt to assimilate the Protoss, and now depends on the Hybrids.