Nexon, Not Blizzard, Will Reportedly Lead Development on the Next StarCraft Game
In a stunning turn of events, a new report from Korean outlet MTN suggests that the future of the StarCraft franchise will be led not by Blizzard Entertainment, but by Nexon. This announcement marks the conclusion of a behind-the-scenes rights battle between the two companies, ultimately granting Nexon not just the opportunity to co-develop a new StarCraft game with Blizzard, but also the rights to create a mobile version of Overwatch for Japan and Korea.
According to the report, Blizzard will still be involved in the development process, but Nexon will be the primary driver of the project. Details about the nature of the new StarCraft game remain scarce, leaving fans speculating whether Nexon will stick to the franchise's real-time strategy (RTS) roots or push the brand into a new genre. While RTS games—and StarCraft in particular—have historically enjoyed massive popularity in Korea, shifting away from RTS could be a significant gamble, especially considering the deep loyalty of StarCraft's fanbase to its traditional gameplay.
This move could signal both a tremendous opportunity and a significant risk for Nexon. Winning the rights to develop a new StarCraft title and a mobile Overwatch game positions Nexon to capture a potentially massive market in Asia, particularly given the explosive popularity of mobile gaming in the region. However, deviating too far from what fans expect could backfire if longtime players are alienated.
For Blizzard, however, this outcome represents a notable setback. The company, once considered the undisputed leader in PC gaming innovation, has seen its brand erode over the past decade, with competitors often outperforming them in their own traditional strongholds. Overwatch's dominance in the hero shooter genre has waned as other studios introduced more refined experiences. Similarly, Path of Exile has been widely praised for achieving what many feel the latest Diablo entries could not. Now, Nexon stepping up to potentially redefine StarCraft—one of Blizzard’s crown jewels—could be seen as yet another blow to Blizzard’s diminishing influence.
If Nexon succeeds in revitalizing StarCraft with fresh ideas and modernized execution, players may remember it as the studio that rescued the franchise from stagnation, regardless of Blizzard’s co-development involvement. Given how much is riding on this project, the stakes for both companies could not be higher.
Would you be open to a StarCraft game that moves beyond the RTS genre, or should Nexon stay faithful to the original formula? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
