New StarCraft Game Pitches from Korean Developers to Blizzard

Blizzard is reportedly receiving pitches from several Korean studios eager to develop new games based on the iconic StarCraft IP. According to Asia Today, four prominent Korean companies—NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton—are in the race to secure publishing rights and bring fresh StarCraft experiences to gamers. Some of these companies have even made trips to Blizzard’s headquarters in Irvine, California, to present their proposals.

NCSoft, known for MMOs like Lineage and Guild Wars, is reportedly pitching a StarCraft RPG, possibly an MMORPG. Nexon, behind The First Descendant, is proposing a "unique" take on the StarCraft universe. Netmarble, which developed games like Solo Leveling: Arise and Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, aims to create a StarCraft mobile game. Meanwhile, Krafton, the powerhouse behind PUBG and inZOI, is looking to leverage its development expertise to craft a new StarCraft title.

It's important to note that such pitches are commonplace in the gaming industry, and not all may lead to finalized projects. However, the news is sure to excite StarCraft fans, who have been waiting for new content in this beloved sci-fi universe. Activision Blizzard has declined to comment on these developments.

Adding to the buzz, Blizzard is reportedly making another attempt at a StarCraft shooter, led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay, who joined Blizzard in 2022. This project, mentioned in Jason Schreier's book "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," marks Blizzard's third try at a StarCraft shooter.

Blizzard's history with StarCraft shooters has been rocky. The first attempt, StarCraft Ghost, announced in 2002, was canceled in 2006 after numerous delays. A second project, codenamed Ares and described as "like Battlefield in the StarCraft universe," was also canceled in 2019 to prioritize Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. Despite these setbacks, Blizzard's persistence with StarCraft shooters suggests the franchise remains a significant focus.

Recent moves by Blizzard further indicate a renewed interest in StarCraft. In November, the company was seen hiring for an "upcoming open-world shooter game," likely related to StarCraft. Additionally, Blizzard released StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection on Game Pass and announced a crossover with the Warcraft card game Hearthstone, signaling that the StarCraft universe is far from dormant.