New StarCraft Game Pitches from Korean Developers to Blizzard

Blizzard Entertainment is reportedly receiving numerous pitches for new StarCraft video games from various Korean studios, sparking excitement among fans of the iconic sci-fi franchise. According to an article highlighted by the X / Twitter account @KoreaXboxnews, Asia Today has revealed that four prominent Korean companies—NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton—are vying to develop new games using the StarCraft intellectual property (IP) and secure the coveted publishing rights. Representatives from these companies have even made the journey to Blizzard’s headquarters in Irvine, California, to present their innovative concepts.

NCSoft, known for the MMOs Lineage and Guild Wars, is reportedly pitching a StarCraft RPG, possibly an MMORPG. Nexon, creators of The First Descendant, has proposed a "unique" use of the StarCraft IP. Netmarble, behind titles like Solo Leveling: Arise and Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, is aiming to develop a StarCraft mobile game. Krafton, famous for PUBG and inZOI, intends to leverage its own development capabilities for a StarCraft game.

While pitches between video game companies are commonplace, the reported interest from Blizzard in expanding the StarCraft universe is noteworthy, especially given the time elapsed since the last game in the franchise. When contacted by IGN, Activision Blizzard declined to comment on these developments.

In a related development, 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 endeavor in this genre. Schreier, speaking on IGN’s Podcast Unlocked, noted the project's uncertain future, referencing Blizzard's troubled history with StarCraft shooters.

Blizzard's past attempts to expand the StarCraft franchise beyond its real-time strategy roots include StarCraft Ghost, a tactical-action console game announced in 2002 but canceled in 2006 after multiple delays. Another project, codenamed Ares, was canceled in 2019 to prioritize Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2. More recently, Blizzard has been hiring for an "upcoming open-world shooter game," which many believe is related to StarCraft.

The momentum around StarCraft is building, with Blizzard recently releasing StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection on Game Pass, and announcing a StarCraft crossover with the Warcraft card game Hearthstone. These developments suggest that Blizzard is actively exploring ways to expand and revitalize the beloved StarCraft universe.