Nexon Reportedly Developing StarCraft Shooter with Blizzard Collaboration
Reports from South Korea indicate that game developer Nexon is reportedly engaged in the development of a shooter title set within the StarCraft universe, in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment. This information stems primarily from a report by the Korea Economic Daily, following an earlier report by the Korean news site MTN which suggested a broader joint venture between the two companies.
Nexon is reportedly developing a StarCraft shooter in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, according to reports from South Korea.
Project Overview
According to the Korea Economic Daily, Nexon has reportedly established a dedicated organization focused on the StarCraft intellectual property. This new group is positioned within Nexon's 'Shooting Division,' which is known for games such as Sudden Attack.
The placement of the project within this division suggests the title is likely to be a first or third-person shooter, marking a departure from the real-time strategy genre traditionally associated with the StarCraft series. A StarCraft modder is reported to be leading this project.
Historical Context of StarCraft Shooters
Blizzard has a history of attempting to develop shooter spin-offs within the StarCraft universe:
- StarCraft Ghost (2002): This tactical-action console game was reportedly near completion for the original Xbox but was officially canceled in 2006 after multiple delays.
- Project Ares (2019): Described as a "Battlefield in the StarCraft universe," this second shooter attempt was reportedly canceled to prioritize the development of Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2.
- Dan Hay's Project (2024): A third StarCraft shooter project was reportedly in development within Blizzard, led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay.
Nexon has recently experienced success in the shooter genre through its studio Embark Studios, with titles such as The Finals and Arc Raiders.
Project Status and Uncertainties
The current project remains unconfirmed by Blizzard. The Korea Economic Daily report introduced a note of caution regarding the project's development. This caution references Nexon's previous unfulfilled partnership with Square Enix for a Final Fantasy spin-off. Blizzard also has a documented history of canceling StarCraft spin-off projects.
The project's status remains unconfirmed by Blizzard, and its future is subject to historical precedents of project cancellations from both companies.
It is currently unclear if Nexon's reported project is directly related to the StarCraft shooter project previously reported to be led by Dan Hay within Blizzard. Hay's project was reportedly in development two years prior, while Nexon's project appears more recent and is being developed at a different location. The initial MTN report also suggested a joint venture involving an Overwatch Mobile game alongside the StarCraft title.