Jim Raynor
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James Eugene Raynor is a fictional character and a major
Created by
The character has received a positive critical response; Raynor's depiction in StarCraft and Brood War was praised for its character depth and the quality of Clotworthy's voice acting. One survey by GameSpot put Raynor as one of the top ten heroes in video gaming.
Character design
The character of Raynor was originally devised by Chris Metzen[2] and James Phinney,[2] with his depiction as a rough-living and dangerous man developed through various pieces of concept art by Metzen. In an interview, Raynor's voice actor Robert Clotworthy cited one piece of this concept art in how he decided to voice the character. The art, showing Raynor on a hoverbike and outfitted with futuristic weaponry, gave Clotworthy the impression that as Raynor was someone people "wouldn't mess with", he would not have to raise his voice as "other characters [would] shut up and listen" or face the consequences.[1] Clotworthy also stated that if a StarCraft film was produced, he believed Clive Owen would be the perfect choice to play Raynor due to his "being dangerous".[1]
Raynor's character is based on a character of the same name in the film Rush, whom Chris Metzen describes as a "gritty, undercover cop". Metzen also states that Raynor is a personal favorite character of his, as although he is only an ordinary man, he has personally met and worked with the most influential characters in the series.[3] In StarCraft II, Raynor was again voiced by Robert Clotworthy.[4]
The tactical shooter StarCraft: Ghost was to feature Raynor as Clotworthy stated he was brought in to voice the character;[1] however, the game has since been canceled and Raynor's role was never revealed. Bill Roper, Blizzard North's former vice president, stated that the game would not center on Kerrigan or Raynor.[5]
Attributes
Personality
Despite an often laid back and sarcastic demeanor,
Depiction
Raynor is only ever depicted by his unit portrait through the course of StarCraft and Brood War. He is later shown in StarCraft II as a physically strong yet casually dressed character, wearing his combat gear over his normal clothes,[11] which are further described in the novels as well-worn and rough in appearance.[12] Raynor has a neatly trimmed moustache and beard,[13] which by the time of StarCraft II are beginning to grey. His StarCraft II model also reveals the presence of tattoos on both his arms.[11] In addition, a number of pieces of concept art depict Raynor smoking.[14] Unlike other characters, Raynor is not seen wearing a uniform at any point during the series, with the rare exceptions of when he is encased in marine combat armour. Raynor is often depicted riding a modified vulture hovercycle, which he uses for transport[15] and in open land combat.[16]
Appearances
In video games
StarCraft
Raynor's first appearance is in the 1998 title
StarCraft: Brood War
Raynor returns in
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
The 2010 sequel
Eventually accumulating all the artifacts, the Raiders discover that the Moebius Foundation is a front for the heir apparent of the Dominion,
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Following the battle of Char, in Heart of the Swarm, Raynor and Kerrigan are taken to a secret lab by Valerian to evaluate the extension of Kerrigan's current power to control the Zergs, until it is attacked by Dominion forces. Raynor is captured by Nova and Mengsk declares that he was executed, much to Kerrigan's grief. However, Mengsk later contacts Kerrigan and reveals that Raynor is still alive and under his custody, using him as a leverage to have her keep the Zerg swarm, now reunited under her command, away from Dominion Territory. Kerrigan then manages to rescue Raynor with the Raiders' help and despite his rejection of Kerrigan at first for choosing to abandon her humanity in order to save him, he and his forces join the swarm for a final battle on Korhal to overthrow Mengsk, saving Kerrigan once more when the Emperor tries to destroy her with the artifact, ultimately leading to Mengsk's death at her hands. Reconciled with Kerrigan, Raynor bids farewell to her as she leaves with the Zerg swarm to confront Amon, the fallen Xel'Naga which intends to return and exterminate both the Zerg and Protoss races.
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
During the events of Legacy of the Void, Raynor participates in the defense of Korhal from Amon's forces alongside Artanis. He is later given a psionic call by Kerrigan to aid her and Artanis in a joint Terran Dominion/Zerg Swarm/Protoss invasion of the Void, a realm accessed from the Xel'Naga homeworld of Ulnar, to permanently kill Amon. In the aftermath of the war, Raynor disappears from public view with Kerrigan.
Heroes of the Storm
Raynor appears as a playable character in the crossover video game Heroes of the Storm, which features various characters from Blizzard's franchises as playable heroes. He is one of many StarCraft heroes that are available in the game, and features a unique skillset including a heroic ability to summon the Hyperion to fire upon the battleground he is on.[24] Raynor is a ranged assassin that can keep enemies away with his basic abilities. He relies on his hard-hitting physical attacks and long range to fight his enemies from a safe distance. Since he lacks any form of innate escape mechanism, like teleports or dashes, knowing when to take a fight and when to retreat is crucial to achieve good results when playing this hero. Jim Raynor is also the leading character in the game's tutorial, and one of the six Blizzard characters who appear in the Heroes of the Storm cinematic trailer.[25]
In novels
Several StarCraft novels also feature Raynor; he is a prominent character in
Reception
The character of Raynor was generally well received by critics and fans alike. Gaming's Edge described Raynor as an "almost prototypical action movie figure" with a "healthy dose of arrogance" who despite always attempting to do the morally right thing invariably ends up with "the worst end of the deal" due to circumstances beyond his control. The article also puts forward the case that "it would be difficult not to admire Raynor, if for no other reason than his persistence" in the face of abandonment, isolation and betrayal.
Raynor earned a nomination for Most Compelling Character at the
Further reading
- Cavalli, Earnest (October 10, 2008). "StarCraft 2's Boozy Interludes". Wired.
- Koh, Damian (June 28, 2010). "StarCraft II takes flight with Korean Air". CNet.
- Cross, Tom (August 10, 2010). "Opinion: 'Diamond in the Rough': Starcraft 2's Jim Raynor And His 'Hyperion'". GameSetWatch. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- Gregory Blomquist (March 2021). "Postmodern Medusa: The Monstrous-Feminine in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm". S2CID 233633758.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e "StarCraft – Robert Clotworthy (Jim Raynor) Interview". BlizzPlanet. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ a b Underwood, Peter; Roper, Bill; Metzen, Chris; Vaughn, Jeffrey (1998-04-01). "Credits". StarCraft (manual). Blizzard Entertainment. p. 94.
- ^ a b "StarCraft Panel Discussion: Lore". GameSpot. 2007-08-08. Archived from the original on 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "Robert Clotworthy Officially Returns as Jim Raynor in Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty". Blizzplanet. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ Mielke, James (2002-10-03). "StarCraft: Ghost – Bill Roper Interview". Star Ghost. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
- ^ a b c Underwood, Peter; Roper, Bill; Metzen, Chris; Vaughn, Jeffrey (1998-04-01). "Roster of Heroes". StarCraft (manual). Blizzard Entertainment. p. 91.
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 121.
- StarCraft: Queen of Blades. Simon & Schuster. p. 13.
- StarCraft: Queen of Blades. Simon & Schuster. pp. 80–83.
- StarCraft: Queen of Blades. Simon & Schuster. p. 181.
- ^ a b "Biography: Jim Raynor". StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Blizzard Entertainment. 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 68.
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 69.
- ^ "Concept art of Raynor". StarCraft II. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-01-31. [dead link]
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 72.
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 127.
- ^ Raynor: Arcturus' boys sprung me from the prison ship. Apparently, they're as frustrated with the Confederates as we are! I know their reputation, but they seem to be on the level.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft. Level/area: The Jacobs Installation.
- ^ Raynor: I can't believe he actually left her down there! I'm gone, and you'd better come with me. There's no tellin' who Arcturus'll screw over next. / [...] / Mengsk: Gentlemen, you've done very well, but remember that we've still got a job to do. The seeds of a new Empire have been sewn, and if we hope to reap– / Raynor: Aw, to hell with you! / Mengsk: You're making a terrible mistake. Don't even think to cross me! I've sacrificed too much to let this fall apart. / Raynor: You mean like you sacrificed Kerrigan? / Mengsk: You'll regret that. You don't seem to realize my situation here. I will not be stopped. Not by you, or the Confederates, or the Protoss or anyone! I will rule this sector or see it burnt to ashes around me. If you try to get in my– / [...] / Raynor: The hell with him. We're gone.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft. Level/area: The Hammer Falls.
- ^ Raynor: Sarah... Is that really you? / Kerrigan: To an extent... I'm far more than I once was, Jim. You shouldn't have come here. / Raynor: But the dreams... I dreamed you were still alive, that somehow... you were calling to me. / Kerrigan: I was. While I was in the chrysalis, I instinctively reached out to you and Arcturus telepathically. Apparently, Arcturus sent Duke here to reclaim me. But that was then, Jim. I'm one of the Zerg, now. And I like what I am. You can't imagine how this feels... / Raynor: So... what? Are you goin' to kill me now, darlin'? / Kerrigan: It is certainly within my power. But you're not a threat to me, Jim. Be smart. Leave here now, and never seek to confront the Zerg again. / Raynor: Doesn't look like I have much choice.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft. Level/area: Agent of the Swarm.
- ^ Raynor: Well, I guess all I have left is to see this through. The Zerg have taken everything from me: my home, my family, my friends. I know that nothing I do can bring those things back, but I'll be damned if I just sit on my hands and wait for the end. I want a piece of 'em, all right. I'm in.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft. Level/area: Eye of the Storm.
- ^ Raynor: Executor, my crew and I will remain here on Aiur and shut the gate down on this side. It's the only way to make sure that the Zerg won't send more reinforcements to Shakuras. / Artanis: You will be hopelessly outnumbered, and once the gate is shut down there will be no one to save you should you be overrun. / Raynor: Yeah, well... I'm a man of action. What can I say? / Fenix: I shall remain with Raynor as well, Executor. My duty is to Aiur, after all. / Artanis: Farewell then, brave warriors. We will send through all the troops we can spare. / Raynor: Thanks. You kids just remember to play nice from now on, okay? Wish us luck.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft: Brood War. Level/area: Dunes of Shakuras.
- ^ DuGalle: You have far outlived your reputation 'citizen' Mengsk. Captain, prepare to take the Emperor into custody. / Raynor: You'll have to postpone those plans, gentlemen. / Adjutant: Sir, the rebel command ship Hyperion has just entered our sensor range. It is accompanied by a small Protoss fleet. / DuGalle: What?! Who are these intruders? / Mengsk: Jim Raynor... What the hell are you doing here? / Raynor: I'm pullin' your ass out've the fire, Arcturus. So shut up and sit tight. Make no mistake about it: we've got us a serious score to settle, but right now a mutual acquaintance of ours wants you alive. Prepare your ships for dimensional recall.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft: Brood War. Level/area: Emperor's Fall.
- ^ Raynor: Fenix! No! / Kerrigan: What are you worried about, Jim? He died the way all Protoss hope to: in combat! / Raynor: He died because you betrayed him! How many noble souls do you need to consume before you're satisfied? How many more people need to die before you realize what you've become? / Kerrigan: You don't even know what you're talking about, Jim! / Raynor: Don't I? I'll see you dead for this, Kerrigan. For Fenix and all the others who got caught between you and your mad quest for power! / Kerrigan: Tough talk, Jimmy. But I don't think you have what it takes to be a killer. / Raynor: It may not be tomorrow, darlin'. It may not even happen with an army at my back. But rest assured: I'm the man who's going to kill you some day.—Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft: Brood War. Level/area: True Colors.
- ^ "Raynor - Heroes of the Storm". us.battle.net. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
- ^ Heroes of the Storm™ Cinematic Trailer, archived from the original on 2021-11-17, retrieved 2019-12-21
- ^ StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 147.
- StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade. Simon & Schuster. p. 181.
- StarCraft: Queen of Blades. Simon & Schuster. June 2006. pp. 56–72.
- StarCraft: Queen of Blades. Simon & Schuster. June 2006. pp. 279–295.
- ^ "Character Profile: Jimmy Raynor". Gaming's Edge. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
- ^ Olafson, Peter (2000-11-24). "StarCraft for PC review". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ Cheung, James. "Number 10: Jim Raynor". TenSpot: Reader's Choice – Best Heroes. GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2000-03-08. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ 100 best heroes in video games, GamesRadar, October 19, 2012
- ^ Chad Hunter, Michael Rougeau, The 50 Greatest Soldiers In Video Games, Complex.com, May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Machinima.com Announces Nominees For Second Annual Inside Gaming Awards". Inside Gaming Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
References
- Dietz, William (2010-04-06). StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils. New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Grubb, Jeff (2001-03-01). StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade (The StarCraft Anthology ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Rosenberg, Aaron (2006-06-01). StarCraft: Queen of Blades. New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Underwood, Peter; Roper, Bill; Metzen, Chris; Vaughn, Jeffrey (1998-03-31). StarCraft (manual). Irvine, California: Blizzard Entertainment.
- Underwood, Peter; Roper, Bill; Metzen, Chris (1998-11-30). StarCraft: Brood War (manual). Irvine, California: Blizzard Entertainment.
External links
- Jim Raynor's biography on the official StarCraft II website.