Blizzard Entertainment is reportedly collaborating with Nexon to develop a new shooter based on the iconic StarCraft series. This partnership aims to create a fresh take on the franchise, reigniting long-held aspirations to expand StarCraft beyond its established real-time strategy roots. While the project is unconfirmed, sources from The Korea Economic Daily suggest that Nexon has assembled a specialized development team, including a notable StarCraft modder, to lead the initiative. However, previous attempts by Blizzard to launch shooter spin-offs, including canceled projects like StarCraft Ghost and Ares, cast a shadow of uncertainty over this new endeavor.

What is the history of StarCraft shooter projects by Blizzard?

Blizzard has a complicated history with StarCraft shooter projects, beginning with StarCraft Ghost, announced in 2002 as a tactical-action game that was ultimately canceled in 2006. Following that, a second attempt called Ares was scrapped in 2019 to prioritize titles like Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. Reports also suggested another shooter project led by Dan Hay in 2024, but it's unclear if Nexon's new development is related to or independent from this previous effort.

StarCraft, first released in 1998, is a seminal real-time strategy game set in a sci-fi universe where players control one of three factions: the Terrans, Zerg, or Protoss. The game has spawned multiple expansions and a sequencial release, StarCraft II, which further solidified its status in the gaming industry. With a rich lore and competitive scene, a successful shooter adaptation could breathe new life into the beloved franchise. Fans eagerly await any updates regarding this potential collaboration between Blizzard and Nexon as they explore new gameplay styles for a franchise that has long captured the hearts of gamers worldwide.