Did StarCraft rip off 40K?

StarCraft and Warhammer 40k. Warcraft and Warhammer. Blizzard and Games Workshop. There's definitely a history there and I'm not sure we will ever know the full truth of what occurred but I also dont think we really need to. as consumers we lucked out with two incredible franchises and their universes.
music by ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬ Karl Casey

[@deepflake5851]

Obviously Blizzard copied Warhammer and Warhammer 40K. But Warhammer, Old World like 40K, also copied a lot of different IPs. That is how creativity works, you copy, you get inspired, you add your own flavor. Nothing comes ex nihilo

[@atheonbanan1518]

Except the major difference being that starcraft looks exactly like 40k, whereas 40k just draws inspiration. Like how they got their idea for eldar from Tolkiens works. Whereas the entirety of starcraft is just "hey copy my homework but make it look a little different" because their deal fell through so they just changed enough shit so they could still sell it XD. Not trying to diss on starcraft or say it's bad, but let's be honest there is a large difference between drawing inspiration and just straight up ctrl v'ing that shit.

[@atheonbanan1518]

I mean hate to say it but literally the only differences are that one is grimdark whereas the other isn't, and minor appearance differences. That's not taking inspiration, it's taking something and making a few tweaks to it.

[@atheonbanan1518]

I mean I like starcraft, I unironically still play some of the old ones just because I prefer older games, but at least the way I see it they took a lot more than just inspiration from 40k, that being said they still created something new and different. In my eyes Starcraft feels a bit more like someone looked at 40k and went "I think that's a little unrealistic, it doesn't need to be this dark and humanity should have more hope!" So, not bad, obviously, but still, I wouldn't go as far as to say Starcraft is it's own completely different thing, just that they took 40k and changed it up a bit.

[@deepflake5851]

@@atheonbanan1518 mate, Warhammer the old world did to Tolkien what Starcraft did to 40K. And then with time it became more and more its own thing.

[@NapGod]

the one thing Warhammer invented that will forever influence fantasy and sci-fi is the Big Green Ork. Tolkien orcs are completely different. Even the larger Uruk-Hai version is totally different. But now orcs are big, muscly and green everywhere including huge IPs like DnD. The Warhammer Ork has replaced Tokien's orcs as the default template.

[@therealdonaldtrumpjr]

As you delve into the 40k lore you come to the realization that it ripped a lot from Dune.

[@HrHaakon]

And AD2000, and English football enthusiasts, and more.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

It's easier to make a list of the things Warhammer 40k hasn't assimilated concepts from... (Played TT WHFB since 1998, TT Wh40k since 2004)

[@AnwayPramanik]

Can you share a few similarities between Dune and 40K

[@tdpuuhailee8222]

​@@AnwayPramanik Both have a weapon named lasgun.

[@imjustsam1745]

@@AnwayPramanik God Emperors, mutated navigators, an ancient war against intelligent machines resulting in a ban on AI. I keep going if I need to.

[@chester1882]

Both games have radically different feels as well. In 40k - there is no hope, there is only the delay by the Imperium. In SC, there is hope and it is fought for, but not bitterly like in 40k. One is grimdark and the other is space cowboys/marines. I agree with your statement tho - we got the best of both worlds.

[@YOGI-kb9tg]

No there in hope in 40k but it's fleeting. You need hope for it to be grimdark if you have no hope what so ever it becomes grimderp.

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

SC - space cowboy yeehaa 40K - In dedicato imperatum ultra articulo mortis!

[@sunder739]

also unlike Warhammer 40K, Raynor managed to get that Queen Zergussy 😏 while Bobby G is... idk, I'm not so sure

[@IbramGaunt1]

@@sunder739 he’s got a big tiddy xeno GF

[@christhechilled]

*worlds

[@pickledblowfish6178]

The biggest glaring similarity is "our parent company is dog shit"

[@judicatorhurayth1927]

I guess were finally in the same boat, pal

[@NoneOfYourBusiness-uz6jx]

While I dislike all big companies, lumping GW in with blizzard is actually hugely unfair to GW. As far as I am aware GW was never sued over employees committing suicide or rampant sexual harassment, nor did GW destroy the livelihood of its ambassadors in order to appease the Chinese government... Just saying, there are degrees here. On the one hand is being charged for rulebooks on the other hand is making people commit suicide and helping prop up the Chinese government.

[@cidahl7005]

This is unfair to GW. Bliz is complete shite, and GW is trying to crawl itself out of the ogre outhouse.

[@capadociaash8003]

@@NoneOfYourBusiness-uz6jxso I suppose you could say that both are horrible to their consumers, but only blizzard is horrible to its employees as well

[@AnonD38]

@@NoneOfYourBusiness-uz6jx As far as we know. The Blizzard stuff only came out years sometimes decades later and only because the people who got done dirty by Blizzard never gave up.

[@Wyrmshield]

The main creative at Blizzard during the early years, chris metzen, is a HUGE warhammer fan. I absolutely believe that it was a major inspiration for warcraft and starcraft's visual identity, but metzen was creative enough to actually make the settings have their own feel and lore that really makes them stand apart

[@RamArt9091]

And now the Squats have units that look like StarCraft marines.

[@oscarandreas1431]

The circle if life

[@anon_lulz7334]

The Primaris marines look like starcraft marines.

[@NoESanity]

One of the funniest things is the zerg tyranid debate because while nids are older, the 1st edition nids were red stick people but then when 2nd edition came out they took their more iconic look, but 2nd edition came out after starcraft

[@SpaceElvisInc]

​@NoESanity never heard of this before, wouldn't be shocked if it was a "well we copied then so who cares if they copy us" scenario

[@urielespinoza7133]

​@@anon_lulz7334 In fact, the ancient Astartes are not the same, the primaris are a newer variant, the primaris measure between 2.20 and up.

[@sprintstothebathroomdaily2429]

They both have their own flavour. The darkest point in starcrafts story feels like a sunday afternoon in Warhammer Thats really all that matters

[@danjerzyzacharows2816]

The darkest point of starcraft was end of sc1 before broodwar came off. Its really not that optimistic. At a time no one knew about shakuras, and story ended with protoss fall, the race that ruled the galaxy lost hope, some animal like creatures defeated intelligent protoss and the last hope was lost because after overmind death, zerg just became wild and started to shred everything and everyone on aiur, the hope was that withoverminds defeat zerg would retreat, but that was false, so i doupt it would be this much bright, even in 40k universe. yea it wouldnt be the worst of things going on in fu**ed up 40k universe but it wouldnt also be the brightest.

[@luisluna5835]

@@danjerzyzacharows2816 You are also missing the UED, which a recognition fleet almost enslaved everyone. The alliance and the way they defeat DuGalle so the UED do not come back tells how everyone were affraid of them... their defeat and not comming back in SC2 seems like a big "fuck you we need this to happen because we need to drive the plot to this shitty ending".

[@egebabus3423]

​@@danjerzyzacharows2816I think the brood war ending was more dark. Since zerg literally killed almost everyone. Zerg was so powerfull at the end of broodwar that 1 cerebrate managed to defeat 3 greatest commanders of the factions.

[@alphadios2003]

@@egebabus3423 The last Cerebrate i could add.

[@MaxMikescrool1]

​@egebabus3423 I'd like to add that in Omega, you're trying to prevent 3 groups from getting a solid foothold to stage an invasion of the planet.

[@toasterroaster666]

Honestly both of the took inspiration from the 'Starship Troopers' novel that came out in 1959. Unlike in the 90's movie version they fight the giant bug aliens while in power armour in the book.

[@ericblood7215]

Starship troopers is my fav movie it's sad that they don't continue

[@TheDilll]

@@ericblood7215 there’s like 3 sequels that went straight to video/streaming but please for the love of god do not watch Starship Troopers 2 it’s so bad. 3 is decent and the 4th one is animated and also pretty good.

[@toasterroaster666]

@@ericblood7215Aren't there 2 animated CGI movies? Might be wrong about that. Love that they gave them actual power armour in the CGI ones though.

[@ericblood7215]

@@toasterroaster666 i know but there isn't life action anymore wouldn't it be good than zombie movie?

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Also, Warhammer 40k took and adapted A LOT of concepts from the DUNE Novels

[@kevinanolin6011]

I forgot what's it called... But the 3 race sci-fi humans, high tech strong aliens, and numerous swarm type aliens... Are apparently inspired from the aliens and predators movie franchise, and everyone kinda just gravitated towards such similar concepts.

[@MosoKaiser]

And insectoid swarm type aliens go back further than that, as does the concept of power armor clad space marines. ...which is why GW doesn't call them space marines anymore - it's a generalized enough name that they failed to copyright.

[@TiboFPS]

Games Workshop had asked Blizzard to make a Space Marines game. The relationship fell apart and Blizzard ended up reusing the ideas for their own game.

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

Source?

[@thays182]

This is the way.

[@DamienDarkside]

YOU HAVE NO SOURCES Every single person says this "Oh man Blizzard was gonna do X" crap but there is literally nothing there. You are only saying this because you heard it from somewhere else, because there is nothing else. If I am wrong, post the source. Otherwise you're just another fucking parrot. Hell, you didn't even post the rumor correctly so good luck!

[@drakolobo]

a blizard developer already clarified this, about warcraft , warhammer was proposed but there was never agreement, the idea was rejected during an internal meeting, and about starcraft several developers have pointed out that they didn't hear of warhammer 40 k until its fans started accusing them of plagiarism after E3

[@Seraphinus112]

Spot on

[@mr.wonderfulwisdomouswonde2991]

Honestly I like to pretend they both somehow copied off of each other and everyone time the two games notice they have an intense western stare down then they just start laughing at each other

[@CommissarChaotic]

It's like the intro to Wings of Liberty lol

[@aaronjones4397]

i love them both, kinda sad we dont see much of the starcraft universe anymore :(

[@kavky]

Honestly the way they handled SC2 it's probably best they don't screw it further.

[@CommissarChaotic]

@@kavky I concur

[@CommissarChaotic]

I'M HEARING RUMOURS OF A NEW STARCRAFT GAME IN DEVELOPMENT AND I'M REALLY SCARED, EMPEROR HELP US FOR IT IS FROM THE EVIL THAT IS -AKU- ACTIVISION-BLIZZARD.

[@FiftyStates5]

​@@kavkyyahhh the lore in II is hot garbage

[@kavky]

@@FiftyStates5 Yes that's what I said. I don't want them to make it even more garbage.

[@TheDilll]

They both draw heavy influence from the 1959 novel Starship Troopers. Although StarCrafts influence is a noticeably more direct than 40k. That is the reason for their similarity

[@harsteu]

This is the root cause of gw's obsession with lawsuits and control of its ip

[@toheekang174]

and killing off TTS and many other animators

[@casbienbarr]

yeah, its been nearly 30 years. what is this the book of grudges

[@foxdavion6865]

The truth is, before Blizzard even started work on Warcraft they first approached Games Workshop for a deal to make a Warhammer game. Games Workshop refused because they said they didn't want to make a product that would compete with an existing game which was being made at the same time. (Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat), which was hilarious because Shadow of the Horned Rat was an early example of the same style of game as total war and wasn't an RTS at all. But Games Workshop at the time didn't know much about video games. So Blizzard went on to make Warcraft instead, despite the rumours, Warcraft's development begun months after GW said no; What was in development at that time was the game engine which eventually would be used for Warcraft. Warcraft had nothing to do with Warhammer and was inspired from elsewhere, I believe Lord of the Rings and King Arthur. This is the actual truth, an ex-Blizzard dev from the 90s who was there when this went down told me on Discord this was the case. Plain and simple. As for Starcraft, it was actually inspired by Aliens and Starship Troopers, the similarities to Warhammer 40K is coincidental. Starcraft II on the other hand is an entirely different story; One of the project leads on Starcraft II was Andy Chambers, one of the big designers at Games Workshop in the 90s and 00s before he left the company in the mid 00s. He really wanted Games Workshop to bring back Epic or at least really desired a video game focused on Titans, but Games Workshop wasn't interested, he also was upset that they cared more about what the model designers wanted and prioritised making more miniatures over focused on making a good boardgame, so he left and instead entered the video game industry for a time. When he was at Blizzard, as a form of revenge he designed a lot of the new units in Starcraft II to mimic combat roles from WH40K. After making SCII he left Blizzard. End of story, that is the truth, that is about as far as it goes and everyone at Blizzard knows this and those who know ex-devs know this too, it isn't hard to find all this out you know, so you said you did your research, well you didn't.

[@thekrispiestkreme5609]

The biggest difference between the two franchises is that you wouldn’t mind living in the korprulu sector, but you’d want to eat a bolter barrel before the end of week one living in the imperium

[@xv9021]

You could actually have sc2 inside of the warhammer universe because its so massive. It would actually fit within the lore.

[@sev1120]

​@@xv9021except that it really wouldn't. Every single army in 40k would have little trouble facing the forces of StarCraft. And with the position of the Koprulu sector on their map of the galaxy, the Tyranids would have consumed all of them during their initial invasion of the galaxy

[@xv9021]

You could explain off the power armor as stc technology, protoss being a xeno race while zerg would be an offshoot of earlier tyranids. The galaxy is a big place. Now in terms of the korpulu sector on the actual galactic map, that would definitely have to be moved if it overlaps with other lore. Would the forces of sc2 stand any chance in hell? no not on a large scale. But you could have them in the setting with some effort.@@sev1120

[@adampierrard4774]

😢

[@NuclearSunshineSB]

I need to travel the multiverse and live on the version of earth where blizzard made World of Warhammer.

[@xv9021]

Worlds of Warhammer 40k, imagine

[@MiamPachonUy]

​@@xv9021Damn! That's so interesting!

[@Vanalovan]

I’m not surprised there’s a more direct connection of Blizzard following from GW, but my thoughts had always been “well, they’re from the late 80’s/early 90’s, Aliens and all that stuff was really big around that time so they’re just products of their time” 🤷‍♂️

[@chrishaakman9174]

One thing they both have in common, fans will write 3 part essays answering questions no one asked.

[@thetruezoalord4386]

Both are fanboys who will shill over their ip

[@rabbidjeremy9193]

Long long ago Blizzard had a deal to make a Warhammer video game. Games Workshop pulled out of their deal. Blizzard slightly changed stuff and put out Warcraft anyway. So yes a lot of their IP is based on stuff that was games workshop stuff that was slightly changed.

[@martins3655]

AND WE HAVE A WINNER. Geez. It’s been knows for decades. The deal fell through, they ran with it while making necessary changes.

[@LordVader1094]

That's actually an urban myth. Nobody has shown proof that such a deal ever existed.

[@vashlex]

They wanted a deal, but they didnt get one.

[@ChannelMiner]

The video literally says that he couldn't find a real source that says what you are saying. It's just rumours.

[@goblinplaysit2289]

No, that’s a rumor, that’s been disproven

[@JaredCarter6625]

blizzards abandonment of the starcraft universe will always make me a bit sad. it does seem like the epic stories we're all told but I think that's because they tied everything up a little too neatly

[@xv9021]

Overwatch was supposed to be starcraft 2 characters. How fucking awesome would that of been. I would actually of played overwatch tbh

[@deathstalker5261]

@@xv9021 I mean, I would like it if they made a Tassadar skin for Sigma. And a zealot skin for Genji.

[@judicatorhurayth1927]

​@@xv9021 bruh you reminded me of that theory *Hercules Ship have a Overwatch logo*

[@bugrahanyuce9680]

@@judicatorhurayth1927 what?

[@CommissarChaotic]

i feel like they cucked themselves with new stories when they introduced the xel naga bits a bit too early for my taste... its just weird to have their version of literally godlike beings done and dusted and then tell new stories after like kerrigan didnt turn into one of those godlike beings...

[@Murdrad]

They're both based on starship troopers. Come on Warhammer fan boys You're not that original.

[@CallsignYukiMizuki]

GW: *copies Starship Troopers, Aliens and all these other existing IP to make 40k* Blizzard: *copies Starship Troopers, Aliens and all these other existing IP to make Starcraft* 40k fanboys: "Starcraft is 40k rip off"

[@judicatorhurayth1927]

Fans in the nutshell

[@thetruezoalord4386]

@@judicatorhurayth192740k fans are the worst.

[@Ultrabozo]

​@@thetruezoalord4386 Facts.

[@ivorunac]

i mean: -space marines with power armor -swarms of insect like race with hive overmind -high tech psyhic race with psyonic blades that has a 'dark' subfaction btw im sc2 fan but lets be real here

[@CallsignYukiMizuki]

@@ivorunac -space marines with power armor Bootleg Mobile Infantry from Starship Troopers -swarms of insect like race with hive overmind Literally the bugs from Starship Troopers. Also lets see how the Tyranids looked like before the original Starcraft released? (3rd edition nids) -high tech psyhic race with psyonic blades that has a 'dark' subfaction Yautja (Predator) with lasers and the Skinnies

[@oddthemute6172]

I wish we lived in a world where Blizzard had gotten the license back in the day. Can't help but feel like I'd be playing "World of Warhammer: 40,000" at this point in time if they had.

[@ryanleonard8207]

Warhammer is fascinating because they just stole everything. They literally took so a bit from everything so no one was safe.

[@thetruezoalord4386]

Finally someone has a brain thank you

[@mariuscatalin5982]

Kinda ironic since 40k copied a LOT of franchises

[@jamespaguip5913]

Yup Warhammer copied dune

[@mariuscatalin5982]

@@jamespaguip5913 and not just dune Also judge dredd Also they have the audacity to sue others for COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT when they rip off other franchises

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@mariuscatalin5982 I agree with but their Warhammer fans who shill over GW.

[@mariuscatalin5982]

@@jamespaguip5913 what?

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@mariuscatalin5982 i said I agree with you Warhammer copied a lot of sci fi genres but their are Warhammer fans who think Warhammer is original but not all Warhammer fans bad

[@LinJer.]

Starcraft 2 is my all time favorite game, and I will always be a guardian of the fallen giant. I love the series to death. But I also love Warhammer 40k It's a super cool universe and the ideas, with the over the top everything is great. I truly do love both worlds

[@thetruezoalord4386]

Thank you for not fanboying

[@JakeGittes84]

Brood War is so much better.

[@Beerpowered]

You can't patent a concept. Blizzard released Warcraft Orcs and Humans to test what they could get away with then made StarCraft after 40K after finding out Games Workshop wouldn't go after them.

[@alphadios2003]

Maybe in your mind. Go read Dune and Starship Troopers, watch some Alien, and maybe after this we can talk about who won't go after who.

[@DadBodFit]

The Lord of the Rings (Novel) - 1954 Starship Troopers (Novel) - 1959 Dune (Novel) - 1965 Star Wars - 1977 Warhammer Fantasy - 1983 Warhammer 40k - 1987 Warcraft - 1994 StarCraft - 1998 Everything is a copy. It has ALL been inspired by each predecessor.

[@CalAndAly]

Love this content man, a question I’ve been asking myself for years too! More of this!!

[@Raijimura]

And now GW gives out their IP to any publisher that walks through their door.

[@alphadios2003]

Well after seeing how much StarCraft and Warcraft could make on their own, i guess this is a real reason to cry a river :)) for GW

[@bigboogie718]

I love both. Starcraft was revolutionary in gameplay and storylines. Wish GW would have taken the opportunity to advance that with the DoW series. DoW 1 and 2 were legit, but 3 really let everyone down.

[@StanleyWallice]

they should make a starcraft movie.

[@skem9622]

I agree completely, even the first two campaigns of SC2 would make a thrilling movie with a great arc

[@CommissarChaotic]

OH HELL NO, Blizzard's gonna f it up

[@TheForcesWrath]

Yeah Star Craft 2 was an epic adventure for me. Building up an army to face that ancient threat in the end was rewarding.

[@alexgagne3600]

Your anwers at the end is just everything !

[@sigmarine]

It's pretty obvious that Warhammer has been ripped off by Warcraft, both Fantasy and 40k. However... Orcs, Elves and so much else? Lord of the Rings. Necrons are Terminators built by Skynet with a dash of Tomb Kings in Space. Tomb Kings are just, well, Mummies and the Undead. You could argue it's taken inspiration from Hammer House Horror and Jason and the Argonauts. You'd be right. Tyranids are just Xenomorphs. It's really not that complex of a concept. Take Xenomorphs and then add in some insectoid features to diversify, which Alien always did in the comics anyway. Space Marines Helmet's are exactly like Storm Troopers with a little more ventilation. Looking at the early models, it's fairly obvious that they took a great deal of inspiration from them. Diversify with the wide number of chapters surrounding the Horus Heresy. Many chapters aren't that complex, concept wise E.g. Vampires, werewolves, knights, engineers, vikings... As for the Imperial Guard, they're taken directly from Aliens and the Colonial Marines. They're basically identical. Throw in WW1 and WW2 influence. Diversify by introducing other countries like Germany and Russia. You could go on forever and in way, way more detail, but there's nothing about Warhammer (AoS or 40k) that is an entirety unique concept. Nothing at all.

[@thetruezoalord4386]

Yup but Warhammer fans are the worst

[@frogjog8822]

It's just how the industry works, Looks change, Core Inspirations remain, Thats why leagues of vorann have the cool visors that starcraft terran do! It's just how you'd draw inspiration from a gold space visor!

[@meathead6155]

This whole conversation on saying that StarCraft is a Warhammer ripoff is 100% misunderstanding. No, I am not that stupid. Many years ago, Blizzard was going to make a Warhammer RTS although they don't own the rights from Game Workshop. So they made StarCraft instead. Starcraft wasn't a ripoff, it was a inspiration of Aliens, Starship Troopers, Predators, Blade Runner, and lots of more. Also it was meant to be a Warcraft in space. What you don't know that, they ARE StarCraft voice actors DID played in Warhammer Person Shooter videogame.

[@hyperN1337]

Saying its a rip off would imply that the designs that were ripped off weren't already extremely common sci-fi tropes. Warhammer 40k doesn't have the absolute right to all dudes in power armor, hive-minded bug aliens, or haughty psychic space aliens.

[@jericho8312]

Starcraft is its own thing and 40k is a vastly deeper more complicated version. I love both and happy I get to play and learn about both.

[@kangax]

In the end credits of old StarCraft copies, there is a line special thanks to 40 K

[@kangax]

Warhammer 40k or GW

[@drakolobo]

false, in fact it has congratulations to author of Kaze no Tani no Naushika

[@jamespaguip5913]

@@kangax Warhammer 40k copied Dune

[@harrymee3ep724]

Starcraft acts as the transition into the grimdark. It is an excellent ally

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

I'm a fan of both but StarCraft was more my childhood than anything tbh

[@Sonof_DRN2004]

Warhammer 40K universe and all oh it’s different video games, table top games and future tv show are all objectively better than star craft.

[@rozza3135]

its your own opinion dummy

[@jamespaguip5913]

But have you even played StarCraft

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

GW fanboys be like: "This show that hasnt even come out yet and I havent seen is objectively better than this game series that I also probably havent played"

[@Sonof_DRN2004]

@@sernoddicusthegallant6986 I’ve played StarCraft and it’s my least favourite Strat game. halo wars 2 is better.

[@Sonof_DRN2004]

@@sernoddicusthegallant6986 also the sheer fact Henry Cavill is the show runner means it’s better lol.

[@aguspuig6615]

GW really loves self sabbotage it seems

[@sethwoll6240]

I always felt like StarCraft had a more ‘warm’ setting to it since it’s so grounded in how we live today mixed with some usual far future elements. It’s also a brutal touch for most Terran Marines to be convicts motivated by gaining freedom at the cost of facing nigh suicidal odds with little chances of survival. Let alone any care or sense of value given from those that command them, making them the perfect expendable units both in the lore and in the game.

[@Teauma]

The vibe is really different between the two, so basically we get to enjoy different riffs on some of the same basic ideas, that's just full profit for fans. No need to pit them against each other.

[@dantefortheparty]

Starcraft was supposed to be a Warhammer 40k game but someone bitched out of the contract and Blizzard basically just renamed the factions and units. Iirc.

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

Ive seen several comments claiming this and not one providing a source

[@LuLingqi101]

@@sernoddicusthegallant6986 Ever try doing your own basic research? It's not hard. Imagine you holding a job too if you made actual effort?

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

@@LuLingqi101 Its not my job to prove your point for you, especially with the sheer amount of baseless claims that turn up nothing when researched.

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

​@@LuLingqi101 You are the one with the statement. The burden's on you. Unless you're a conspiracy theorist.

[@alex_ho]

​@@LuLingqi101 Have *you* done your own basic research? Because anyone who has would've realised this is a load of BS

[@gutfriedvonguttenberg5614]

Zerg has been there before the Tyranids Both is based on kind of fanstasy more then classic sifi. And out of context: damn the SC2 Space Marine armor is so much nicer! Love that thing!

[@VashTheStampede117]

The entire Lore of Warcraft can easily be explained, with or without the gameplay while The entirety of Warhammer 40K lore isn't as simple to explain. You'll die of old age before you're able to understand even a fraction of the basic foundation of Warhammer 40K lore.

[@srgfubar]

I picked up somewhere that games workshop gave blizzard a list of what they could make use of and not in SC2 or something like that and one of the things GW was VERY on about was the Overmind. It was supposed to be a bigger part of the story initially.

[@andrewgreeb916]

Allegations of copying stuff is difficult coming from games workshop known for lifting any historical empire imaginable and just smashing it into warhammer.

[@rogaldorn5486]

Tbh dose not realy matter, both are enjoyed by a lot of people so its a W anyways, both were huge parts of my live at some time.

[@ayami123]

It was an interview in an AMA meeting forgot what kind of show it is

[@trialnerror3643]

Thank the God Emperor they didn't deal with blizzard. I don't care what they might've made that "brand recognition" being the goal sounds scary if that is the long term goal

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

GW are far more brand obsessed than Blizzard

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

Says a lot about how much you don't know about oldblizz

[@judicatorhurayth1927]

Bruh you dont understand the difference between past people vs now People?!

[@Mr.Phantom_The_Director]

They both have really cool aliens they both have really cool good guys and they’re both grim dark. I like both of them a lot.

[@swordbrethrenmordred1230]

The original lore of the Astartes in first edition was also more like the one of the StarCraft Space Marines. Before they became god-like, trans-human supersoldiers they were supposed to be hardened criminals who were sentenced to serve in the military and welded into their armour.

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

It is because Chris Metzen, one of the concept artists, was a Rogue Trader player

[@scorpion-6183]

I'm a big Starcraft fan, and as i explore the world of 40k further, i couldn't help but see how stuff is very similar. Here are examples i can note: - The Protoss Dragon houses injured Protoss infantry (Dreadnought). - Terran Ghost (Vindicare assassin). - Space Marine (obviously Astartes but helluva lot weaker). - Zerg (Tyranids with more personality). - Protoss Templars (Eldar psykers). - Terran Battlecruisers (Imperium Battleship). - Leviathan (Hive Fleet Leviathan). A bit off topic, but i found this from Warcraft as well. The T'au Commander, Farsight, found a sword from the dead world of Arthas Moloch. (Arthas Menethil and the cursed undead blade 'Frostmourne').

[@UknownVal1992]

I got into to starcraft first because of my culinary art teacher before I learned about warhammer universe decade later due to KZbin algorithm. I love both universe for what they are.

[@erikblaas5826]

Yep, first time I played Starcraft I immediately saw the similarity with Zerg and Tiranids, then I realised I also see Eldar and Space Marines... 😮😊

[@Perry638]

What's the music in the background?

[@all_mighty_nurgle]

Even if they don’t have lawsuits and stuff if StarCraft came out 9 years after it’s a copy of it but for limited reasons

[@bowserbrowser6559]

Its funny that artwork shows a space marine against a terran marine..should be labeled moments before a massacre cause a space marine would walk through several terran marines before needing to stop to clean their weapon off

[@NuwandaLunaDragon]

Actually, someone made the calculations and the Terran weaponry is quite on par with the warhammer scale but, yeah, the armor, the speed, vehicles, heavy weapons, strategies and intellect of the space Marines outclasses the Terrans even if they're on par with the basic weapons

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

Marines work by the numbers. There's also the Marauders that fire grenades that slow down things with a mini vortex effect. And where there's Marines, there will be Medics, Medivacs, and Siege Tanks. If the tanks are Arclite, they fire salvos of plasma shells, with little chance of overheating. Widow Mines and Spider/Cerberus Mines may be around too. And there are other upgrades like Magrail Munitions (railgun shots for every Marine and Marauder) and Super Stimpack, and Rapid Deployment, Afterburners, double healing, and so on for Medivacs.

[@anthonyb9147]

I swear i remmenber seeing on the game on the box or something it saying based on warhammer 40k.

[@doomdood9926]

If you read Starship Troopers I noticed a lot of similarities between Starcraft and SST. Which led me to realize there's also a lot of inspiration SC and 40K had from the 1959 publication.

[@savageslattz5705]

So we have warhammer 40k/fantasy and Scarcroft but what's warranty I played as a kid but didn't know if it was warhammer or star craft

[@WISHARTfilms]

The most telling detail is that one of the lead developers on the original StarCraft also was a game designer for 40k 3rd edition. There no official sharing of IP, but they had the same chief creative player in both camps along with the rest of the Blizzard team generally being 40k fans.

[@cooperknapp5848]

Really a “holy shit, two cakes!” Situation

[@fedos]

I'm glad to be a fan of both franchises and appreciate their similarities and their differences.

[@njalsand133]

One of the CEO said he could neither confirm, or deny >_>

[@Crucial_End]

They most likely inspired eachother quite a lot while also taking things from other IP's. I personally think they are both different enough and good enough to both stand on their own.

[@fitmcdeezy8778]

Theyre both awesome. I could watch lore videos on both all day long. Makes work fly by

[@chasefrost1401]

Great way to look at it. And I think the owners of the IPs are looking at it as healthy competition. Similar, but not exactly the same, makes each have to innovate and the fans get the rewards. It's a win-win-win!

[@loszhor]

I heard of the "failed WH40K" game theory too but never had prove of it.

[@CommissarChaotic]

I kept searching for any sources that say this but its just people on forums saying it is.. Really the only like source that is related I could find is that one dev interview article where the exact narrative or whatever it is, you could literally could just swap Starcraft with Warcraft and 40k with Warhammer (Fantasy) and that is literally the whole deal. And if you add some further thought to it, it was a failed deal partly because Blizzard's own employees didn't want to be restricted on what to do or something like that so you're telling me they tried for another deal even though Blizzard's own had reasons not to go with the previous deal? It would just be awkward and not a good idea trying the same thing again considering they're a company.

[@Marcara081]

I love the notion that a new IP could be created that's just like Starcraft and Warhammer 40k but it would avoid lawsuits purely because neither company could prove which one it's copying.

[@xv9021]

games workshop fumbled the bag massively. If they had blizzard producing warhammer licensed RTS games omg they would of gone hard. Imagine Maru running Chaos space marines in the finals against serrall running tyranids. Imagine the asychronous strategy!!!! GW faked hard letting it get away from them.

[@RPGOmen]

Fun Fact: They were both inspired by Starship Soldier (later called Starship Trooper) which first appeared in the 1950s (before even Dune, which WH also seemed to take from). In fact, the Zerg have many units that are practically copied / inspired by The Bugs... including the Spore Shooters and the Queen units. In addition to the Terran Federation of Starship Soldier (Named Terran Confederacy in Starcraft).

[@JuliusCaesar888]

Um ya but...In any case, aliens and humans in sci fi armor aren't exclusive anywhere. The unique stories and characters and settings are what gives each IP their hard to reproduce appeal. The 40K lore is pure madness, whereas StarCraft takes itself a lot less seriously.

[@daviddryden7668]

Worth noting that StarCraft uses Convicts for their Marines... Which is what Rogue Trader originally had them as before switching to the knightly order legions we have now

[@user-ww5br9cp4i]

I heard that Starcraft was originally made independently and was supposed to introduce the Tyrannids, but GW didn't like the idea of the Tyrannids and through the Proto-Starcraft to the side, which is when Bizzard took Starcraft and made it into it's own story.

[@Danuke708]

We cant be friends but lets agree both are equally awesome❤

[@AnAfinityForKarma]

Omg could you imagine a wow success story version of a Warhammer mmo :O

[@yopoxikeweapescai9066]

Idk, i like both since i have memory (my dad played both back in the day and i played with "the toys" xd)

[@Grimmance]

Oooor it might have to do with the fact that heinlein wrote about space marines and bug hunts before either company existed. But hey, thats just me basing this off of the last time games workshop tried to stop a person publishing a book involving non 40k space marines.

[@Liam-lx8xb]

In science there's a term called "convergent evolution" it's when two creatures happen to evolve to look incredibly similar because they fill the same niche in two different places. In this example you have two different companies instead of places.

[@kassiD1HK]

As a warcraft player: Blizzard tried to get a license to make a game for WH40K... Thing that games workshop didn't accepted, so Blizzard did create his own universe, but more cartoon

[@SkyNinja759]

Warhammer takes from Dune too. It's like how everything in traditional fantasy copies from Toiken.

[@TheOriginalFishPond]

I believe Dune was the inspiration for much of WH40k..

[@gunther2555]

Obviously Warhammer 40k and Blizzard took huge inspiration from Starship Troopers. And I mean not the movie but the novel

[@hanneswiggenhorn2023]

Tbh there are only a pretty limited amount of concepts to go for if you want a science fiction universe with 3 completely unique races. Even thinking more about it, human empire, bug hivemind and big numbers things and high tech/magic aliens are the only options coming to my mind. And pretty much all three (and their sub factions) are part of pretty much any major sci fi franchise

[@natsukisubaru5488]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." As one guy commented below, “nothing comes from ex nihilo.” We inspire each other, it's just that some will be more brazen.

[@MrLoobu]

One is a great video game, the other is a rich fantasy universe with table top and video game adaptations, thousands of books written about it, and millions of fans.

[@ferrancasas5095]

Name of music?

[@MiamPachonUy]

Love both! Grew up with StarCraft because it was more popular where I'm from. And, the 40k video games back then were too complicated for a youngster I was. It was SC that got me into sci-fi and it was only in my late 20's that I took interest in 40k lore (because it was really rare here and internet and Google only became truly available then). It's true they have similarities but I don't put down one or the other. Love both of them! Not embarrassed to say if it wasn't for SC, I wouldn't have taken interest with 40k. Now, me and my nephew have put in hundreds of hours (and counting) with Dawn of War.

[@drhapi5308]

It’s obvious Warhammer came first and Warcraft/Starcraft came later with the exact same aesthetic. Copied blatantly

[@jamespaguip5913]

Well duh

[@jamespaguip5913]

Warhammer copied dune and xenomorphs

[@drakolobo]

Bob Fitch, a programmer / technical director: explaining starshiptrooper as the source of inspiration "Got asked recently what inspired SC unit ideas. Did you know the troopers from the book wore powered armor? (Not like movie!) I like Star Trek, and pitched we could have a spell that hurt Marines but increased their damage rate: became Stim Pack. And of course Hicks!" and about w40k rumor "I had never heard of 40k until after SC was shipped and people started that rumor. Terran was often compared to Aliens marines, Zerg to Starship Troopers and Ender's game, Protoss to normal "gray aliens" but later the aliens were made tall and muscular instead of little/frail." Maxx Marshal artist desginer in Starcraft about tyranids- zerg topic "I'll try to explain what you're looking at: My original Hydralisk head... That's right, this is what we modelled him from. (Note I never gave him a lower jaw)(OH, and FYI, i truthfully had no idea what a Warhammer 40K was when i started designing the zerg. I was more a comic geek... and still am. after the game hit E3 i was told that i stole the idea of aliens that fight space marines from warhammer... wow) ..."

[@cygnusereve4779]

It's surprising how neither of them has tried to sue each other for copyright.

[@johnacetable7201]

Don't humans in StarCraft universe know how to do science? Do they have their adeptus mechanicus? Can the life be described as a nightmare that won't let you wake up?

[@daltongilbert6812]

Old school star craft.. used to have a copy. Loved the strategic long haul that this game was.

[@smoketinytom]

I love them both and I personally look at the whole "They tried to make a 40K game and GW withdrew" with that withdrawal being a decent way into the development cycle, so I guess they continued on with tweaks here and there and made something lovely. They really hit it on the head with it.

[@bobtreverman2047]

I want to say StarCraft is sci-fi, while WH40K is grimdark fantasy that's in the future

[@soksocks]

The words you're looking for are "science fantasy"