New StarCraft Game Pitches from Korean Developers to Blizzard

Blizzard Entertainment is currently at the center of excitement for StarCraft enthusiasts, as reports have surfaced detailing pitches from several Korean studios eager to expand the iconic sci-fi franchise. According to an article highlighted by the X / Twitter account @KoreaXboxnews, Asia Today revealed that four prominent Korean companies—NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton—are in the running to develop new StarCraft games and secure the coveted publishing rights. Some of these companies have even made trips to Blizzard's headquarters in Irvine, California, to present their innovative ideas.

NCSoft, renowned for its work on the Lineage and Guild Wars MMOs, has proposed an intriguing StarCraft RPG, potentially an MMORPG. Nexon, the creative force behind The First Descendant, is bringing a "unique" approach to the StarCraft IP to the table. Netmarble, known for titles like Solo Leveling: Arise and Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, is pitching a mobile game set in the StarCraft universe. Meanwhile, Krafton, the powerhouse behind PUBG and the upcoming Sims competitor inZOI, aims to leverage its robust development capabilities for a new StarCraft experience.

While pitches and development contracts are common in the gaming industry, and not all may lead to fruition, the interest from Blizzard in expanding the StarCraft universe is noteworthy, especially given the time elapsed since the last release in the franchise. When contacted by IGN, Activision Blizzard declined to comment on these developments.

Adding to the buzz, Blizzard is reportedly making another attempt at developing a StarCraft shooter, led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay, who joined Blizzard in 2022. This news, shared by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier on IGN's Podcast Unlocked, underscores Blizzard's persistent interest in the StarCraft IP despite past challenges. Schreier's book, "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," mentions this ongoing project, highlighting Blizzard's determination to bring a StarCraft shooter to life.

Blizzard's history with StarCraft shooters has been rocky, with the infamous cancellation of StarCraft Ghost in 2006 after numerous delays, and the more recent cancellation of the project codenamed Ares in 2019 to focus on Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. Despite these setbacks, Blizzard's recent job postings for an "upcoming open-world shooter game" suggest that a StarCraft FPS might finally see the light of day.

The momentum for StarCraft is building, with Blizzard's recent release of StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection on Game Pass, and the announcement of a StarCraft crossover with the Warcraft card game Hearthstone. These developments signal a renewed focus on one of gaming's most beloved franchises.