From Void to Legacy

Starcraft 2: Legacy of the Void (LotV) had just been recently released, and as a gamer, I cannot wait to get my hands on it (though that would only be in late December earliest T_T). So in conjunction to this (and also since I had just finished my conference presentation), I felt inclined to relate the game in this write-up. For anyone reading this who are unfamiliar, Starcraft is a sci-fi real time strategy (RTS) game franchise by Blizzard Entertainment, first released back in the mid 90s.

My start-off point will be recent LotV trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_XwzBMTJaM). The Protoss, who had lost their homeworld Aiur to the Zerg have returned to reclaim their homeworld. Three Zealots, two High Templars and one floating robotic Probe were pitted against numerous Zerg as the Protoss attempted to hold their perimeter.

The 5 Protoss warriors took the spotlight as they fought to hold off the Zerg, long enough for the Probe to warp in a Pylon that would bring in reinforcements. Here is something worth noting. The Probe, weakest among the six was the core of the Protoss’ plan. With almost zero battle potential, it could do little to contribute directly on the frontlines. In the game, the Probe is at the foot of the Protoss hierarchy, the first unit a player can build, the cheapest and perhaps the fastest to bring into play.

Yet even as it is the first unit to be acquired, it is generally the last to be disposed. The Probe is an indispensable worker for its ability to gather resources and warp in structures. Destroying the opponent’s workers while safeguarding their own, rather than engaging head on in a large scale battle is a common strategy especially among professional players.

The Probe warping in a Pylon.

The above description is a gamer’s equivalent to Matthew 23:11 as well as Luke 9:48, “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant,”; “He who is least among you is the one who is great.” Going back to the trailer, the Probe can be easily wiped out by any one from the Zerg forces; yet it also has the potential to bring forth an army a hundred times larger than the initial small Protoss force, as seen near the end of the trailer.

Another interesting observation from the trailer is that, excluding the Probe, the screen time for the Protoss units decreases the stronger they are: from the Zealot, High Templar and finally the Archon. Heck, the Probe was in the trailer slightly longer than the Archon. 

“Power overwhelming.” Protoss Archon

It seems that the parable seeds in Luke 14:7-14 and Matthew 20:1-16 somehow found its roots here. “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

The seeds can be traced further in Starcraft lore. In the past, the Judicator caste used to stand at the top of the Protoss hierarchy, yet their actions led to civil war and the fall of Aiur to the Zerg. The Judicator caste was subsequently abolished, and the Protoss is now (at least up to the Starcraft 2’s 2^nd expansion Heart of the Swarm) led by the young (by Protoss standards) Hierarch Artanis. Here one can make a comparison to this developments with Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct…”

In the first installment of the Starcraft 2 trilogy, Wings of Liberty, the main character is decked as the first basic battle unit a player can build, albeit buffed up and with a few perks (for those who played the game, I am referring of course to Jim Raynor). Again, Luke 9:48 shines forth. Although the commander of his founding army, he himself does not run around using the most advanced weaponry nor does he (directly) wield the heaviest firepower. His most powerful siege unit was handed to his old partner, and even his flagship was mainly left to his lieutenant as he led his forces in the frontlines.

“Now that’s the commander I’ve been waiting on.” Kachinsky on Jim Raynor

I find it inspiring that a world famous game could be seen in so much light of the Word of God. Sometimes I think that the little bits we notice in our circle such as these allow us to connect with the people with the same interest, and at the same time present an opportunity for sharing our faith in ways conventional preaching will not be able to do. If we have a sincere heart for God and His Kingdom, our faith will permeate into every aspect of our lives: be it work or play. After all, God is the author of all creation, and all our works are but images of His masterpiece.

RFG always.