After months of competitive bidding among South Korean gaming giants, Blizzard has finally selected a partner to breathe new life into one of its most iconic franchises. The deal represents a significant shift in how Blizzard is approaching its legacy properties and expanding into mobile gaming markets.
The Winning Bid
South Korean gaming company Nexon has emerged victorious in the bidding war for the StarCraft license, beating out other major contenders including NCSoft, Netmarble, and Krafton. According to South Korean financial news outlet MTN, Nexon has secured both development rights for a new StarCraft game and distribution rights for an upcoming Overwatch mobile title in South Korea and Japan. The deal marks a significant milestone for the StarCraft franchise, which has been dormant in terms of new mainline releases for nearly a decade.
Companies involved in StarCraft bidding war:
- Nexon (winner)
- NCSoft
- Netmarble
- Krafton
A Unique Take on StarCraft
While specific details about Nexon's plans for StarCraft remain scarce, previous reports described their pitch as a unique take on the StarCraft universe. The agreement with Blizzard reportedly does not specify a particular genre, raising questions about whether the new title will maintain the real-time strategy roots that made the franchise famous or venture into new territory. For fans who have been waiting since 2015's StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void for a new installment, this development signals that something is finally in the works, even if it may take years before we see the final product.
Overwatch Goes Mobile
Perhaps equally significant is the news regarding what some internal bidders have called Overwatch 3 - though this is unlikely to be the final release title. According to the reports, this mobile game is being developed by Blizzard itself and is described as a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) designed specifically for mobile platforms. Nexon has secured distribution rights for this title in South Korea and Japan, regions where mobile gaming enjoys immense popularity.
Overwatch Mobile details:
- Developed by Blizzard
- MOBA genre
- Referred to internally as "Overwatch 3"
- Distribution rights for South Korea and Japan secured by Nexon
StarCraft's Special Connection to South Korea
The decision to partner with a South Korean company for StarCraft's future makes strategic sense given the game's cultural significance in the country. StarCraft has enjoyed unparalleled popularity in South Korea, where it helped establish esports as a mainstream phenomenon and became deeply embedded in the gaming culture. Nexon, as one of South Korea's largest gaming companies, will likely leverage this connection to maximize the potential of any new StarCraft release in its home market.
Multiple StarCraft Projects in Development
Interestingly, this isn't the only StarCraft project currently in development. Reports indicate that Blizzard is working on an in-house StarCraft project that appears to be the studio's third attempt at creating a shooter set in the StarCraft universe, following the previously cancelled projects Ghost and Ares. This project is reportedly led by Dan Hay, a former Far Cry executive producer who joined Blizzard in 2022.
Known StarCraft projects currently in development:
- Nexon's "unique" take on StarCraft (genre unspecified)
- Blizzard's in-house StarCraft shooter project (led by Dan Hay)
What This Means for Fans
For StarCraft enthusiasts, the news brings a mix of excitement and caution. While any movement on the franchise after years of dormancy is welcome, questions remain about whether Nexon's vision will align with what longtime fans expect from a StarCraft title. The lack of genre specification in the deal leaves open the possibility that the new game could depart significantly from the RTS formula that defined the series.
Looking Ahead
Both the new StarCraft game and the Overwatch mobile title are likely several years away from release. Blizzard had originally planned to launch Overwatch Mobile alongside Overwatch 2 in 2023, but unspecified delays have kept the project unreleased. As for StarCraft, development of a new title from scratch will require substantial time, especially if Nexon is indeed pursuing a novel approach to the franchise.
For now, fans will have to be content with the knowledge that after years of waiting, new entries in both beloved franchises are officially in the pipeline, even if they may take forms different from what players have experienced before.