StarCraft Might Be Coming Back As A Shooter, And I Don’t Know How To Feel

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Released in 1998, StarCraft rapidly became a major success for Blizzard Entertainment. Although other popular Blizzard franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch have all found success, StarCraft has had a particularly large and lasting impact on the real-time strategy genre and gaming in general. This is partly due to Blizzard’s careful approach to releasing games in the series, with only a few titles ever being published.

Things could be changing soon, as Nexon and Blizzard are reportedly working together to bring StarCraft into the world of shooting games. This is great news for fans who have been hoping to revisit that universe. However, there’s a lot riding on this new game, and I’m not sure I want to see the companies potentially undo the satisfying conclusion the series had in 2015.

The Studio Behind Arc Raiders Might Be Turning StarCraft Into A Shooter

Nexon, a game publisher, is partnering with Blizzard to create a new shooting game based on the popular StarCraft universe, and it’s a bit of a surprise. According to reports, Nexon impressed Blizzard with their ideas and obtained the license to develop a StarCraft shooter. Nexon, who also owns the studio behind ARC Raiders, seems to be a big fan of the StarCraft franchise.

Rumors suggest that Choi Jun-ho, a modder known for his work with StarCraft, is leading the development of this new game, hinting it will stay true to the original. Although not officially confirmed yet, many believe the game will be revealed at BlizzCon 2026. A first-person shooter based on StarCraft has been attempted before – StarCraft: Ghost – but that project was ultimately canceled after only reaching the demo phase.

The StarCraft Universe Is Ripe For Further Exploration

A potential StarCraft shooter raises many questions. While Nexon has experience with the shooter genre – and Embark’s ARC Raiders shows they can successfully reimagine existing game types – any new StarCraft game will face huge expectations. The original series is a strategy game centered around the war between three races: the Terrans (humanity), the Zerg (a parasitic hivemind), and the Protoss (ancient, psychic aliens).

A shooter game set in this universe would probably center around a Terran character. The franchise already has diverse unit types, which could easily translate into different shooting styles. The vastness of the setting is also perfect for a shooter, offering many unique worlds, alien species, and plenty of enemies.

Different races with their own special abilities could create varied gameplay experiences, naturally leading to multiplayer interactions. Blizzard recognizing the potential of this type of game, and approving the initial pitch, shows they believe in the developers’ vision for the story. As a longtime fan of StarCraft, the project is immediately appealing and exciting.

I Hope The Next StarCraft Game Doesn’t Ruin The Series’ Terrific Ending

StarCraft holds a special place in gaming history. The game continues to be a popular choice for competitive players, proving its dedicated and large fanbase. Changing the core strategy gameplay could disappoint long-time fans, especially since the last major addition, the Nova Covert Ops missions for StarCraft II, came out ten years ago. Another concern is how the new game will fit into the existing StarCraft story. StarCraft II ended strongly with Legacy of the Void, which resolved the conflict between the three races by bringing them together against a shared enemy.

The ending provided a satisfying conclusion for the series’ key characters, which is rare for many franchises. Any sequel would have to build on what’s already been established while also being original, and it couldn’t contradict the existing story. Plus, some beloved characters wouldn’t be available due to how their stories ended. A spin-off exploring a new part of the universe, or a game set within the existing timeline offering a fresh perspective, could work. While I’d love to see another StarCraft game, I’m concerned it could diminish an ending I consider one of the best in gaming.

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2026-02-17 01:40