The StarCraft franchise, once a titan in the world of real-time strategy (RTS) games, has largely remained dormant since 2020, when Blizzard Entertainment decided to end updates for StarCraft II.
However, a recent report indicates that Blizzard may be taking another shot at developing a StarCraft shooter, a project that has already seen two failed attempts. With renewed hope and a veteran team at the helm, fans of the franchise may finally have reason to be excited about what the future holds.
A Dormant Franchise Poised for Revival
StarCraft, first released in 1998, quickly established itself as one of Blizzard’s most iconic franchises, featuring an expansive universe rich with lore, complex characters, and tactical depth.
Despite its massive popularity, the franchise has been largely dormant in recent years, particularly after the 2020 decision to end updates for StarCraft II. With attention shifting towards other projects, Blizzard seemed to leave the potential for a StarCraft shooter behind, at least until now.
Recent reports indicate that Blizzard is giving this ambitious project another go, marking a renewed interest in bringing the iconic sci-fi world to the first-person shooter (FPS) genre.
Jason Schreier’s Revelation: A Third Attempt to Create a Shooter
The possible revival of the StarCraft shooter was revealed by gaming industry journalist Jason Schreier. Schreier, who wrote the forthcoming book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, shared new information on IGN’s Unlocked podcast.
He mentioned that members of the team from Blizzard’s previously canceled survival game are now “incubating” a new StarCraft shooter. This marks Blizzard’s third attempt to develop a shooter set in the StarCraft universe, showing their continued determination to bring the beloved strategy game into a new genre, despite previous setbacks.
Dan Hay Takes the Lead: A Promising New Direction
Adding to the intrigue, the new project is reportedly being overseen by Dan Hay, a veteran developer who has previously worked on Ubisoft’s Far Cry series. Hay’s experience in leading the development of open-world first-person shooters could bring a fresh and promising perspective to the table.
The Far Cry games are known for their immersive environments, freedom of player choice, and compelling storylines—elements that could significantly enrich a StarCraft shooter.
With Hay in charge, Blizzard appears to be bringing in a leader who understands what makes shooters captivating, a crucial factor that could spell success for a new entry into the StarCraft universe.
Previous Attempts: Lessons Learned from the Past
Blizzard’s history with StarCraft shooters is fraught with challenges. The first attempt, StarCraft: Ghost, began development in 2001 and suffered numerous delays and setbacks before ultimately being canceled.
The concept behind Ghost was to tell a story from the perspective of a Terran operative, providing a more intimate, on-the-ground view of the conflict in the StarCraft universe. Unfortunately, despite the promise of the concept, Ghost never saw the light of day.
A second attempt, titled StarCraft: Ares, was reportedly canceled in 2019. Though less is known about this project, it appears Blizzard was aiming to branch out from the RTS gameplay model, only to fall short again.
With two failed projects behind them, the hope is that the third time will be the charm, especially given the experience of the new team and the lessons learned from past missteps.
A New Era for StarCraft?
In addition to the news about the new shooter project, StarCraft Remastered and StarCraft II were recently announced as upcoming additions to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, set for release on November 5.
The renewed interest in bringing these iconic titles to broader audiences could be a strategic move by Blizzard and its new owner, Microsoft, to gauge interest in the franchise before diving headfirst into a new major installment, like a potential StarCraft 3.
Hope for the Future of StarCraft
While Blizzard’s journey with StarCraft shooters has been rocky, the resurgence of efforts to create a new experience in the franchise offers a glimmer of hope for fans.
If the response to the remastered versions and their availability on Game Pass is strong, it may finally give Activision Blizzard and Microsoft the incentive they need to move forward not only with the shooter but also with the long-awaited StarCraft 3.
With Dan Hay at the helm and a clear passion for exploring new facets of the StarCraft universe, perhaps this time, Blizzard can successfully bring the battle for the Koprulu sector to life in a whole new way.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Gaming Mice for 2024
Why is Blizzard attempting another StarCraft shooter?
Blizzard aims to revive the StarCraft franchise by adapting it into a first-person shooter, hoping to finally succeed after two previous attempts, including StarCraft: Ghost and StarCraft: Ares, were canceled.
Who is leading the new StarCraft shooter project?
The new StarCraft shooter project is reportedly being led by Dan Hay, a veteran developer known for his work on Ubisoft’s Far Cry series, which adds promising expertise to the team.
