StarCraft II easter eggs include iPistol, BSOD, and misplaced characters (video)

You'd think with all the pressure of making a StarCraft sequel worthy of the name, Blizzard wouldn't have time for humorous insider references, but StarCraft II begs to differ. The game's designers have expended some of their creative juices on concocting a jolly little iPod-esque advert for a fictional iPistol, which is supposed to let you "take your shot at life." And just in case anyone thought them biased, the Blizzard devs have also had a little swipe at Microsoft, with a Blue Screen of Death adorning the control console of a drill inside the game. Other than those techie witticisms, the eagle-eyed gamer will be able to spot a dancing Night Elf and a Tauren Space Marine from World of Warcraft, as well as Diablo from, well, Diablo -- but we'll let you play the game and figure out where they are for yourself! Skip past the break to see the iAd homage and BSOD screenshot.

[Thanks, Michael]

[Almo Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:27PM]

Hahahaha! Epic Blizzard!

[Mike10010100 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:33PM]

@Almo

Rofl. Good on ya Blizzard. Not only have you made an epically fun multiplayer game, but the campaign is actually pretty damn epic and the visuals are AMAZING.

[marsel Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:36PM]

@Mike10010100 Lol its awesome.... though that BSOD is more like a TSOD (teal screen of death)

[Special Agent Steve Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:45PM]

@Almo
I just noticed the ipod parody. I love Easter eggs, especially when the reference real life products/people/ideas

[OmegaXzors Posted Aug 1st 2010 5:32PM]

@Almo
The Pirate Battlecruiser says, "it's a trap!"

[blenderx360 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:28PM]

What's so cool about this?...

[d0mth0ma5 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:34PM]

@blenderx360 It's an homage/mickey-take of some fairly iconic modern tech images.

[Smart People Play Tuba Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:27PM]

@d0mth0ma5

If you have to explain it, then s/he won't understand or appreciate it.

[panckakes Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:28PM]

So.. Windows is still there at that time?

[d0mth0ma5 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:36PM]

@panckakes In businesses for sure.

[gletob Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:11PM]

@panckakes
Yeah Microsoft has extended Windows XP downgrade rights until the second coming of Christ.

[razr777 Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:23PM]

@gletob haha good one! Buy now Windows 777 Ultimate with Windows XP downgrade rights

[KAL326 Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:41PM]

@gletob You just did two things. One, made me lmfao and secondly proved there are no jesus fanboys.

[spaz4322 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:29PM]

I love the game! gonna have to keep an eye out for these things.

[Son Goku Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:30PM]

Apple = Protoss
Google = Terran
Microsoft = Zerg

[KennyB123 Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:28PM]

@Son Goku

NOOO! I exclusively use Protoss in the game, and own ZERO apple products! lol

[razr777 Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:30PM]

@Son Goku
Protoss iPylon
Google Thor
Microsoft Windows Swarm edition :D

[Smart People Play Tuba Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:48PM]

@Son Goku

Microsoft circa 1998 = Zerg

Microsoft today = those NPC creatures that crawl around the map and get in your way

[jankum Posted Aug 1st 2010 6:49PM]

@Son Goku
If anything
Linux = Protoss
Windows = Terran
Mac = Zerg

apple fanboys are the mind controlled swarm, and steve jobs is obviously the overmind.

[unseen Posted Aug 1st 2010 7:01PM]

@jankum my thoughts exactly

[Gandalf20000 Posted Aug 1st 2010 9:50PM]

@jankum
The fanboys are zerglings, Steve Job's flamboyance and arrogance are all the annoying ones like mutalisks and hydralisks, Apple's hatred of third party developers is a zerg virus... But who's Kerrigan?

[PurpleFries Posted Aug 8th 2010 10:17PM]

@Gandalf20000 The Woz.

[benwb Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:31PM]

the BSOD needs to be more.. blue

[Marbles Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:37PM]

@benwb

And maybe not an old version.

[PWRWarTG Posted Aug 1st 2010 8:04PM]

@benwb It's a easter egg, what more do you eant

[benwb Posted Aug 1st 2010 8:42PM]

@PWRWarTG
REALISM

[engadgetcomexcludeengadget Posted Aug 1st 2010 10:07PM]

@PWRWarTG Possibly a "w" in want. That's all I ask.

[ArhcAngel Posted Aug 2nd 2010 8:22AM]

@benwb
Unfortunately for me the BSOD was very real while I was playing this weekend. It only happened once. I wonder if it doesn't like Win 7 64?

[MrIgbo Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:35PM]

I guess that is how lethal, advanced weaponry will be advertised in the future.

[loocas Posted Aug 1st 2010 6:58PM]

I wonder if you'll have to wait for the ammo to get approved by Apple.

[Firehazel Posted Aug 1st 2010 10:38PM]

@loocas
Steve Jobs: Yeah, killing is not enough at Apple, we need to INNOVATE. It's going to change everything. Again.
Firehazel: Yeah, maybe this time that will actually apply to one of your products...

[pika2000 Posted Aug 1st 2010 3:39PM]

I think I saw a BSOD screen in Lego Harry Potter too.

[DarthMaul Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:02PM]

To busy playing. Kthxbye.

[aelaos Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:03PM]

The Blue Screen of Death is the Ultimate Boss that a Window user must Face !!! It beat me merciless far too many times !!!

[mitchumpalooza Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:09PM]

Yeah I saw that iPistol advertisement and had to look twice. Hilarious.

[Trang Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:15PM]

Damn it, I passed that mission and I didn't spot the BSOD

The rock album ad is awesome as well. Well done Blizzard

[FlyersPh9 Posted Aug 1st 2010 4:59PM]

@Trang

I did too but you can go back and play them again! I intend on doing that after I complete the campaign to try to get all the achievements.

[kenny goo Posted Aug 1st 2010 5:02PM]

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/3715/858130-bsod_halo.jpg

[zookb Posted Aug 1st 2010 5:27PM]

I don't know if anyone is a fan of Stargate SG-1 but there is a reference to it in the achievements. I thought it was cool.

[steakman Posted Aug 1st 2010 6:08PM]

Thanks for using my image :) (http://www.iownimages.com/sc2BSOD.jpg)

[koppit Posted Aug 2nd 2010 1:16AM]

@steakman They branded it, too!

[Parody Posted Aug 2nd 2010 10:47AM]

@steakman
lol engadget

[ThatGuitarGuy Posted Aug 1st 2010 7:22PM]

Did anyone else pick up on the whole "I'm gonna kick ass and chew bubble gum" line from Duke Nukem during one the single player levels?

I can't remember it's name, but it's with the huge Mech machine.

Talk about a blast from the past!

[lnm4444 Posted Aug 2nd 2010 1:55AM]

@ThatGuitarGuy And they still will be waiting for Duke Nukem Forever.

[SpecTP Posted Aug 2nd 2010 11:47AM]

@ThatGuitarGuy that quote is from the movie, They Live

[Reaper21x Posted Aug 1st 2010 11:05PM]

The Lost Viking arcade game in the cantina is pretty epic, too.

[Dtoorani Posted Aug 1st 2010 11:39PM]

Dont hold the iPistol the wrong way!!

[SpecTP Posted Aug 2nd 2010 11:46AM]

The emblem on top of a Terran starport is the Horde symbol.