StarCraft II continues the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and brand-new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival.

Features:

• Fast-paced, hard-hitting, tightly balanced competitive real-time strategy
• Three completely distinct races: Protoss, Terran, and Zerg
• New units and gameplay mechanics further distinguish each race
• Groundbreaking single-player “story-mode” campaign
• Vibrant new 3D-graphics engine with support for dazzling visual effects and massive unit and army sizes
• Full multiplayer support, with new competitive features and matchmaking utilities available through Battle.net
• Full map-making and scripting tools to give players incredible freedom in customizing and personalizing their gameplay experience

Trivia: Do you know that the Protoss Unit “Dragoon” is now gone…. forever because of the Zergs? They were replaced by the Immortals…

Read on for details…

Follow up:

Features of the Official StarCraft 2 Website:

• Uses XML
• Offers a flash show of the Cinematic Trailer, Art Movie, and Gameplay Video
• Downloadable Cinematic Trailer
• Downloadable Artwork Trailer
• 10 SC2 Screenshots
• 16 SC2 Artworks
• 3 Wallpapers featuring the StarCraft 2 Logo; a Terran Marine; and Zertaul! Sizes ranging from 800×600 to 1920×1200
• FAQ
• Feature List

As of the time of this writing, the downloadable Gameplay Video is not yet available.

Also, there seems to be no truth behind a new race in SC2, at least according to their FAQ quoted below:

Q: How many races are in StarCraft II?
A: In StarCraft II, players will see the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races. Our goal is to ensure that all the factions in the game play even more distinctly from one another than in the original StarCraft, while still maintaining the fine balance that helped make StarCraft such a classic. We’re also introducing a number of new units to each race, as well as modifying some of the familiar units returning in StarCraft II. With these design refinements and the new features we have planned for the single-player and multiplayer elements of the game, StarCraft II will offer a next-generation StarCraft experience.

Here are the latest updates and features from StarCraft2.com:

New Units:

• Immortal (Protoss Unit): Before the loss of Aiur, veteran protoss warriors who had been crippled in battle could volunteer to continue their service by being transplanted into dragoon exoskeletons. Now, the dragoons of the past are all but gone… More Info…
• Stalker (Protoss Unit): Inspired by the ancient and honored dragoon walkers the dark templar have begun to build war machines of their own. The stalker is a machine controlled by the shadow-essence of a dark templar warrior, willingly fused into its metal body to protect his people… More Info…
• Phase Prism (Protoss Unit): The protoss use these “phase prisms” in several ways. Their primary function is to transport protoss forces on the field of battle. Both living and inorganic subjects can be transformed into energy, and their unique energy signature imprinted into the prism’s crystal lattice core… More Info…
• Gateway / Warp Gate (Protoss Building): The protoss’ ability to manipulate time and space far surpasses the limited understanding of other races. A gateway is a structure capable of opening a spatial rift via which protoss forces can be warped directly from their home territories to the battlefield… More Info…
• Colossus (Protoss Unit) – A large quad-legged vehicle that fires strong dual lasers. This unit can also traverse differences in terrain height. In the Artwork/Gameplay trailer on Blizzard’s site, it appears to “steal” what looks like energy from the unit it is attacking. (wikipedia)
• Phoenix (Protoss Unit) – An aircraft that can overcharge guns for multiple projectile blasts. However, after the initial blast the ship is rendered inert for a short period of time, unable to move or attack. (wikipedia)
• Warp Ray (Protoss Unit) – An aircraft that attacks with a blue laser, dealing more damage as it focuses on the same target. It is powerful against tough units and buildings, but wastes damage on small units and can be quickly overcome. (wikipedia)
• Mothership (Protoss Unit) – A powerful hovering unit that consumes an extreme amount of resources to produce. It is able to attack multiple units at time, and has three unique abilities, which are the Time Bomb, Planet Cracker, and Black Hole. The Time Bomb ability slows all enemy units and stops missile attacks. The Planet Cracker ability is a large laser that fires from the bottom of the Mothership, obliterating anything in its field. The Black Hole ability creates a void that absorbs and destroys enemy aircrafts. Only one Mothership can be active at a time. (wikipedia)
• Nydus Worm (Zerg Unit) – A transport unit that transports small units such as zerglings from underground. (wikipedia)
• Baneling (Zerg Unit) – A mutated Zergling filled with explosive and acidic chemicals that can roll across terrain and explode on impact. (wikipedia)
• Reapers (Terran Unit) – A unit much like the Marines, but carrying dual machine pistols. It has a jump jet allowing it to hop down or up a tier, making it effective for exploiting weak spots in an elevated base. (wikipedia)

Updated Units:

• Zealot (Protoss Unit): Zealots are peerless templar warriors who have yet to achieve the uppermost ranks of the Khala. Ever eager for battle, zealots train constantly to attune themselves more closely to the Khala’s disciplines and prove themselves worthy of advancement. They exemplify the unbridled ferocity of the protoss at war… More Info…
• Zergling (Zerg Unit)

Gone:

• Dragoon (Protoss Unit), replaced by Immortals

UPDATE 3:
Disussions around the net compiled:
———-
Possible Units to be removed:

Nydus Canal (Zerg building) – could be replaced by the mobile version -> Nydus Worm (Zerg Unit).

Protoss Reaver (Protoss Unit) – the purpose and usability of this unit overlaps with the new unit that replaced the Protoss Dragoon, which is the new Protoss Immortal. Additionally, the new Protoss Stalker is also overlaps with the usability of the Protoss Reaver, or could be replaced by the new Protoss Colossus.

Protoss Carrier (Protoss Unit) – there is an overlap with the new Protoss Mothership and the new Protoss Warp Ray, Protoss Phoeniex, and evne Protoss Colossus (depending on how you look at it).

Terran Firebat – possibly replaced by the new Terran Reaper.

---

---

:: StarCraft II Articles ::
StarCraft II – GameDev Explaining the New Units
StarCraft II – Press Release
StarCraft II – Official Details
StarCraft 2 Screenshots
StarCraft 2 Video Trailer
It is Official: Next Big Game of Blizzard – StarCraft 2

—–
Read the StarCraft 2 Panel Discussions here, very interesting facts like StarCraft II has been in development since 2003, that if not for World of Warcraft, SC2 would have been much nearer to completion than it is now.