StarCraft fans may finally have reason for cautious optimism after more than a decade without a new entry. A fresh exclusive from Daehan Economic News alleges that Nexon, Korea's largest game publisher, has kicked off development on a secretive project utilizing Blizzard's iconic StarCraft IP. Here is an X post from @KoreaXboxnews that added fuel to the flames on social media about the news:
The Korean outlet details how Nexon formed a dedicated team following a 2025 content development agreement with Blizzard Entertainment. Key hire: Choi Junho, celebrated creator of the StarCraft custom map "Shrine Breaker" (known internationally as Temple Siege or Shinppu), is now serving as lead planner. His expertise in crafting addictive, competitive user maps is seen as pivotal for evolving the IP beyond its real-time strategy roots.
Nexon confirmed neither the project nor specifics when approached, responding only that it "cannot confirm." Blizzard has remained silent, consistent with its tight-lipped stance on unannounced titles.
This news isn't out of nowhere. Rumors of Blizzard shopping StarCraft IP rights surfaced in March 2025, sparking a bidding war among Korean giants: NCSoft (pitching an RPG), Netmarble (mobile focus), Krafton (full reboot), and Nexon (unique approach). Reports indicated Nexon emerged victorious, securing development and publishing rights for new StarCraft content, potentially including global distribution. The Shooter Division assignment bolsters shooter genre theories, aligning with Nexon's portfolio: Sudden Attack (a 2003 FPS staple in Korea), The First Descendant (2024 PvE looter shooter), and publishing hits like Arc Raiders and The First Berserker: Khazan.
StarCraft's legacy looms large. Debuting in 1998, it defined RTS with Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss clashing in balanced, esports-ready warfare. StarCraft II's trilogy of games Wings of Liberty (2010), Heart of the Swarm (2013), Legacy of the Void (2015) cemented its status of being a top dog. Yet, no full sequel followed, leaving fans yearning amid Blizzard's pivot to live-service models like Diablo IV and Overwatch.
A shooter pivot evokes canceled prototypes like StarCraft: Ghost (2013), Blizzard's ill-fated Third Person Shooter stealth game. Recent Blizzard job listings for vehicle engineers hint at vehicular combat, fitting StarCraft's dropships and tanks. Nexon's live-service savvy could blend extraction elements (like Arc Raiders) with faction warfare, Terran marines storming Zerg hives in FPS glory.
BlizzCon 2026 (September 12th) is the most likely reveal venue, capping a banner year for the studio: World of Warcraft: Midnight adds player housing; Diablo IV's Lord of Hatred expansion delivers two classes and saga closure; Overwatch drops "2," surges past CoD/Battlefield on Steam with hero overhauls. There was also in the latest World Of Warcraft mentions of trying to get the most out of Warcraft as an under-utilized IP, I would assume they are applying that to StarCraft as well and trying to bring the IP back to life.
Blizzard's secretive process demands prototypes and feasibility checks. Separate rumors suggest an internal Blizzard open-world shooter, potentially a different project however. We will have to see in the future what the game will actually be or look like.
Still, it seems that the stars are aligning. Nexon's global reach and shooter chops could resurrect StarCraft for modern audiences, blending nostalgia with fresh mechanics. Official word from Blizzard or Nexon would ignite the Koprulu Sector. Until then, the rumor mill churns with ideas and potential. Terran marines with railguns? Zerg rush in first-person? The wait intensifies to see what it turns out to be. Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.