The StarCraft franchise is making a comeback with a new entry, but it will deviate significantly from its established real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Revealed during the opening ceremony of BlizzCon, the upcoming game is described as an open-world shooter. Details remain scarce, with the title set to launch no earlier than 2030, and no further information on gameplay mechanics or specifics was shared.
Blizzard's Dan Hay confirmed the return, stating, "It's about damn time" to revisit the StarCraft universe. A cinematic trailer showcased Dominion forces undergoing elite warrior training before engaging a large Zerg swarm on the battlefield. This marks the first original StarCraft game since the conclusion of the StarCraft II saga with Legacy of the Void in 2015. While StarCraft Remastered was released in 2017, Blizzard has largely focused on its other franchises in the intervening years.
The announcement of a StarCraft shooter, though rumored, is likely to be met with mixed reactions from fans eager for a traditional RTS experience. The audible crowd response at BlizzCon to the "open-world shooter" description was not overwhelmingly positive. This is not the first time the series has explored different genres; StarCraft Ghost, a planned stealth-action game, was canceled before its release.
Recent reports suggested that Nexon is pursuing the StarCraft license for a potential new game, possibly StarCraft III, which could indicate a continued possibility for an RTS installment. Teases for a StarCraft revival began earlier in the month, with the game's official website exhibiting "glitches" and hidden text logs that hinted at an impending announcement. Initial rumors ranged from a Helldivers-inspired co-op shooter to the resurrection of StarCraft: Ghost.
Despite the genre shift, the return of StarCraft is a significant event for Blizzard. Although not the company's first successful franchise, it remains a foundational pillar. The original StarCraft and its Brood War expansion were highly successful upon release, and in South Korea, they played a pivotal role in the early development of esports by fostering competitive play in internet cafes.