The iconic StarCraft franchise might be poised for a revival, but not necessarily in the way longtime fans might expect. Recent reports indicate that multiple major Korean game developers are actively competing to secure rights to develop new games set in the beloved sci-fi universe, potentially expanding StarCraft beyond its real-time strategy roots.
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| A menacing creature, reminiscent of the intense battles in the StarCraft universe, symbolizes the new directions that could be explored in upcoming titles |
Korean Studios Vying for StarCraft Development Rights
According to reports from Asia Today, four prominent Korean game companies—NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton—are aggressively pursuing opportunities to develop new StarCraft titles. These companies have reportedly gone as far as traveling to Blizzard's headquarters in Irvine, California to present their concepts directly to the gaming giant. This unusual level of interest from multiple major developers suggests Blizzard may be seriously considering expanding the StarCraft IP through external partnerships.
Diverse Game Concepts Being Pitched
Each Korean developer appears to be approaching the StarCraft universe from a different angle. NCSoft, known for MMO franchises like Lineage and Guild Wars, has reportedly pitched a StarCraft RPG, potentially bringing the rich universe into a more character-focused experience. Nexon, developer of The First Descendant, is said to be proposing a unique implementation of the StarCraft IP, though specific details remain unclear.
Netmarble, the company behind Solo Leveling: Arise and Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, is focusing on mobile gaming opportunities within the StarCraft universe. Meanwhile, Krafton—parent company of PUBG Studios and developer of the life simulation game inZOI—is emphasizing its technical capabilities as a foundation for its StarCraft game concept.
StarCraft's Special Connection to South Korea
The intense interest from Korean developers is particularly fitting given StarCraft's cultural significance in South Korea. The original StarCraft and its Brood War expansion achieved phenomenon status in the country, helping to establish one of the world's first major esports scenes. This deep cultural connection may give these Korean studios unique insight into what makes the franchise special to its most dedicated fanbase.
Blizzard's Internal StarCraft Projects
These external pitches come alongside reports that Blizzard is making its third attempt at developing a StarCraft shooter in-house. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay is leading this project. Blizzard has previously attempted to expand StarCraft beyond RTS with the canceled StarCraft Ghost (2002-2006) and Project Ares (canceled in 2019), both shooter projects that never reached completion.
Recent StarCraft Activity
While no major new StarCraft games have been released for years, Blizzard has shown some renewed interest in the franchise. The company recently released StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection on Game Pass, announced a StarCraft crossover with Hearthstone, and revealed a new StarCraft tabletop miniatures game. These moves, combined with the reported interest in new game development, suggest the franchise may be entering a new phase.
What This Means for StarCraft Fans
For longtime StarCraft enthusiasts, these developments represent a mixed bag. While any new content in the beloved universe is welcome, the apparent focus on genres outside the franchise's RTS roots may disappoint purists hoping for StarCraft 3. The involvement of external studios also raises questions about how faithful these potential new titles would be to the franchise's established lore and gameplay philosophies.
As with any early development reports, it's important to note that these pitches may not result in released games. The video game industry is notorious for projects that never see completion, and Blizzard in particular has a history of canceling games that don't meet their standards. However, the level of interest from major developers and Blizzard's apparent willingness to entertain these pitches suggests that, one way or another, the StarCraft universe may soon expand beyond its current boundaries.