‘StarCraft 2' Arcademodders Obtain Access To 'Warcraft III' Assets

Game modders can finally get to see "Warcraft III" characters and other elements of the game on "StarCraft 2."

IGN reported that Blizzard Entertainment, the developer of both games, released the official assets used to create "Warcraft III" for "StarCraft 2" Arcademodders.

The Arcade functions as a portal for game modders to showcase their creations. Game modes and other features can be changed, although advanced game modders in the community can create full games from scratch. Other community members can also download these to play with others. There are talks that Blizzard might be preparing to launch "Warcraft III" titles to PCs after datamined files were discovered. There is also the possibility that Warcraft 4 might already be in the works.

Blizzard stated, "We are so excited to see what our community is going to make that we wanted to give you a head start. Once these assets become available to the public, we are going to spotlight the best content in what we are calling, 'Memories of War.' The PTR is your chance to start playing with your new tools and to start making amazing experiences."

In a blog on Battle.net, all hero models for the four primary races and all neutral creatures will become available. The sounds, spell effects, original models, structures, music, ambient sounds and custom user interfaces for each race will also be provided. VG247.com reported that there will be three thousand new materials for the Arcade development community to work with.

All the assets are now available in the "StarCraft 2 "PTR, where players can test patches before releasing these to the public for download. Blizzard may have prepared plans for a wider release. Community members also need to make a PTR account then install the needed files via the desktop Battle.net client.

Polygon wrote that "Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos" was launched in 2002 for Mac and Windows PC. The expansion pack, "The Frozen Throne", followed in 2003. "StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty" was launched for Mac and Windows PC in 2010. Its first expansion, "Heart of the Swarm", was released in 2013. The second expansion, "Legacy of the Void", is still in development. According to ARS Technica, Warcraft 3 and its expansions were continually played by gamers for many years, with the aid of its modding community. One of the most famous mods using the Warcraft 3 engine is "Defense of the Ancients" or "Dota", which eventually resulted to "Dota 2", after Valve acquired rights.