Games - Zerg

	Games - Zerg

The Zerg are a vaguely insectoid race in the StarCraft universe. They are one of three races in Starcraft and its expansion Starcraft: Brood War. The Zerg have been said to be similar in appearance and behavior to the Tyranids of Warhammer 40,000 as well as the 'bugs' of Starship Troopers and the Xenomorphs of the Alien movies (in fact the Zerg were referred to as Xenomorphs in an early demo version). They also share many characteristics with the Borg of Star Trek; they roam the galaxy assimilating species they encounter into themselves, and they share a hive mind ruled by the Overmind, much like the Formics from Ender's Game. It is separated into a number of broods that are named after monstrous mythological beasts, predominantly from Norse mythology. Each brood serves a specific purpose and is controlled by a Cerebrate that is physically incapable of disobeying the Overmind (the ultimate power for the Zerg). Zerg was originally spelled "Zurg" but the name was changed before StarCraft's release.

Due to the Zerg's unique use of overwhelming numbers, the word "Zerg" (verb) or "Zerging" is the act of using mass numbers to achieve an objective, and it has become widely accepted in a variety of other games, including Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, Dark Age of Camelot, and other multiplayer games. This references the ability of the Zerg race to generate combat units, particularly Zerglings, much more quickly and earlier than other races; a common tactic among Zerg players is to devote their efforts to generating as many Zerglings as possible, as soon as possible, to attack an opponent who has likely just started producing his units.

History

The original Zerg species was discovered on the ash world Zerus, in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, by the mysterious and ancient Xel'Naga after the Xel'Naga abandoned the Protoss on Aiur, giving up on them as a failure. The Zerg organism was a small and weak larva-like organism, but it contained the purity of essence sought by the Xel'Naga.

Through Xel'Naga proto-genetic manipulations, the Zerg survived the torrential firestorms of their world and thrived. The Zerg developed the ability to burrow into the spinal fluids of less vulnerable creatures on Zerus, parasitically merging with them. These new bodies would then be used to manipulate their surroundings. The Zerg began to assimilate the genetic strains and processes of these host animals. However, the Zerg had an undeviating drive to consume only the most advanced species they encountered. Lesser species were eradicated. The Xel'Naga were surprised to find how quickly the Zerg could steer the evolution of their host creatures. They developed armor piercing spines, razor-sharp limbs, and ultra dense carapaces.

Fearful of the chaotic in-fighting that had enveloped the Protoss, the Xel'Naga created the Overmind, an enormous brain-like entity, to bring order to the Zerg. At first it was only a semi-sentient entity created from the instincts and collective sentience of the Zerg, but it quickly evolved.

The Overmind did not directly relay orders to its minions. As new species were added to the Swarm, it began to relay orders through Cerebrates, giant versions of the Zerg larvae. Direct orders were relayed through Queens and Overlords.

Expansion

The Overmind began to think of its future. In order to continue finding new species, it needed to leave Zerus. Extending its senses into space, it became aware of enormous space-faring organisms. It lured them to Zerus with its psychic abilities, and assimilated them into the Swarm. Soon all the Zerg had the ability to survive in space. The Xel'Naga considered this a triumph. The Zerg had not only survived their weaknesses, but had also retained the purity of their terrible overriding essence.

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