Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm cinematic leaks

Blizzard Entertainment has been having a rough time keeping video of the second installment in its Starcraft II series under its hat. Late last year, what was purported to be an in-development CG cinematic ostensibly spoiled Heart of the Swarm's ending. Now, a second Heart of the Swarm leak has hit the Internet outside of Blizzard's customary channels, though this one falls squarely in the promotional column.

The leaked teaser begins with what appears to be a team of ghosts infiltrating a secure compound. The ghosts make short work of a security retinue, before the group's leader issues the foreboding command: "Find Kerrigan." Her statement is, of course, in reference to the Zerg faction's leader, Sarah Kerrigan, who was once a ghost herself before being assimilated by the Swarm and set up as their queen.

The trailer then offers its first glimpse of series protagonist Jim Raynor, a space marine who is Kerrigan's primary love interest. With Raynor in hot pursuit, the ghosts gain access to a sealed chamber. However, that chamber proves to be their end, as a massive energy burst from within levels the room and destroys the door.

Raynor then enters the blown-out room, only to be greeted by a posterior shot of an individual that is ostensibly Kerrigan.

Blizzard has yet to affix a firm launch window to Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm, though the game's director has largely discounted a 2011 release. Last October, Battle.net project director Greg Canessa indicated that the game was approximately 18 months out, putting its release date in the March-April 2012 range. However, Blizzard is notorious for altering its release date plans.

For more information on Blizzard's latest real-time strategy title, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.