You’re supposed to think StarCraft II will be the second coming of something or other. I’ve tried to get myself hyped for the game, going so far as to tell myself that this time I’ll actually enjoy an RTS. The problem I’ve found is the ants running around on the screen look like the same thing from the previous game in the series, and that couldn’t hold my attention for more than an hour before I gave up. Rumor running rampant tonight is that some retail chains are showing a December 3 release date for the game.

That sounds like a reasonable placeholder date to me. Stores are probably ready and willing to take preorder money, and they need some sort of date to put out on display so people feel safe enough to hand over their $5. Just remember that this is Blizzard’s baby, and those guys don’t mess around with release dates. They have the money and power to make a game and only release it when they’re damn good and ready. This means that StarCraft II may not see any play on your PC until late 2010, if that’s what it takes to get it right.