Nexon, the publisher of Arc Raiders, is reportedly securing a license from Blizzard to develop a new StarCraft title. This project is separate from a long-rumored open-world shooter being developed internally at Blizzard, suggesting a potential dual-track revival for the sci-fi franchise.
The StarCraft franchise has remained largely dormant since the release of StarCraft II in 2010 and a remastered version of the original in 2017. However, reports indicate that a wide-ranging revival is underway, involving both the original creator, Blizzard, and the South Korean publisher Nexon.
Nexon’s Licensing Deal and Development Rights
According to a report from the South Korean newspaper Chosun, Nexon is working to secure the rights to develop a new entry in the series. A senior gaming official
indicated that the contract between the two companies is close to being finalized.
According to a quote from a senior gaming official, a contract between Nexon and Blizzard regarding the StarCraft IP is close to being finalized.
This move appears to be a strategic play by Nexon to capitalize on the franchise’s enduring popularity in South Korea. Chosun reports that StarCraft still ranks among the top 10 most-played games in Korean internet cafes, nearly 30 years after the original 1998 release.
The Role of Choi Jun-ho and the Sudden Attack Studio
While the licensing details are being finalized, Nexon has reportedly already begun the groundwork for production. According to a report from the Korean outlet dnews, Nexon has hired Choi Jun-ho to lead the project.
Choi is identified as a veteran modder known for creating a popular StarCraft map called Shinpu
. Interestingly, the project is not being housed in a traditional strategy studio; it is reportedly in development at the Nexon studio responsible for Sudden Attack, a free-to-play FPS series. This choice of studio leaves the specific genre of the new StarCraft entry uncertain, though it suggests a departure from the series’ traditional real-time strategy (RTS) roots.
Blizzard’s Internal StarCraft Shooter
The Nexon project is not the only StarCraft game in the pipeline. Blizzard is reportedly developing its own spin-off, described as an open-world shooter. This internal project is being led by Blizzard VP and GM Dan Hay, who previously served as the franchise lead for the Far Cry series.
There was initial speculation regarding whether the Nexon project and the Blizzard project were the same, but industry insiders have clarified the distinction. In a ResetEra post, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier noted that if the Nexon reports are true, the project is unrelated to the shooter being developed by a Blizzard team.
Efficiency and the Question of Generative AI
The potential partnership brings the issue of development methodology into focus. Nexon CEO Junghun Lee has previously commented on the industry-wide shift toward artificial intelligence, stating that every game company should be assumed to be using it.
Nexon’s CEO Junghun Lee claimed the technology has improved efficiency in both game production and live service operations.
Given the potential for controversy surrounding generative AI in game development, there is speculation that Blizzard may include specific stipulations against the technology’s use within the licensing agreement to avoid backlash.
The State of the StarCraft Revival
For fans of the series, the current trajectory suggests a franchise expansion rather than a simple sequel. With one project led by a veteran modder at an FPS studio and another internal Blizzard project focusing on an open-world shooter, the revival is leaning heavily toward action-oriented genres.
Whether these developments will include a return to the RTS genre remains an open question, as current reports focus almost exclusively on shooters and new IP directions.
The decision to pursue a licensing deal with Nexon indicates that Blizzard is willing to leverage external expertise to maintain the franchise’s footprint in the critical Korean market, effectively splitting the brand’s evolution between internal innovation and licensed expansion.
