Several Korean game studios are reportedly vying for the opportunity to develop new StarCraft titles under Blizzard's banner.
According to a report from Asia Today (shared by @KoreaXboxnews on Twitter/X), four major Korean developers - NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton - are actively pursuing publishing rights for the beloved sci-fi franchise. Some teams have allegedly traveled to Blizzard's Irvine headquarters to present their proposals in person.
NCSoft, known for MMOs like Lineage and Guild Wars, apparently pitched a StarCraft RPG concept (potentially an MMORPG). Nexon, creator of The First Descendant, proposed an unconventional take on the IP. Netmarble (Solo Leveling: Arise) is eyeing a mobile adaptation, while PUBG-maker Krafton wants to leverage its development expertise for a StarCraft project.
While such pitches are common in the gaming industry, the news has understandably excited StarCraft fans. The franchise has lain dormant since 2015's Legacy of the Void expansion, making any potential revival noteworthy. Activision Blizzard declined to comment when reached by IGN.
This development follows September's revelation that Blizzard is making its third attempt at creating a StarCraft shooter. The project is reportedly led by former Far Cry producer Dan Hay, who joined the company in 2022.
Bloomberg's Jason Schreier discussed the initiative while promoting his book "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment" on IGN's Podcast Unlocked. When asked about the project's likelihood of release, Schreier quipped: "If it's not canceled! This is Blizzard after all. Their history with StarCraft shooters is not good."
Blizzard's rocky history with StarCraft FPS titles began with 2002's infamous StarCraft Ghost, a tactical action game canceled in 2006 after multiple delays. Their second attempt, codenamed Ares (described as "Battlefield in the StarCraft universe"), was scrapped in 2019 to prioritize Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 development.
The recent hiring spree for an "upcoming open-world shooter" suggests Blizzard hasn't abandoned its FPS ambitions. These developments coincide with other StarCraft activity, including Game Pass additions and a Hearthstone crossover, hinting at renewed interest in the franchise.
