Nexon, Not Blizzard, Could Be Developing the Next StarCraft Game

After years of lying dormant since the release of StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, aside from a fun HearthStone crossover, the StarCraft franchise might just be waking up. Nexon, after a fierce battle over intellectual property rights with some big names, has emerged victorious. This means we might see a fresh installment in the series soon.

According to MTN, Nexon is teaming up with Blizzard to develop new StarCraft content. In addition, they’ve snagged the service rights for Overwatch Mobile in Japan and Korea, which could be a major win. The competition was stiff, with heavyweights like NC Soft and Netmarble also eyeing StarCraft and Overwatch Mobile.

This bidding war has been raging since the end of last year. Various companies pitched their ideas to Blizzard about what they’d do with the beloved StarCraft IP if given the chance. Interestingly, MTN reports that there’s no requirement for the new game to be an RTS, so Nexon has the freedom to innovate. Perhaps we’ll finally see something like StarCraft Ghost!

It’s important to remember how integral StarCraft is to Korean gaming culture. The original RTS captivated Korean gamers and basically jump-started the esports scene. Even now, StarCraft Brood War maintains a dedicated following in Korea, serving as the cultural epicenter for the series.

Looking at Nexon’s past work, they’ve shown a knack for diversity. Known for titles like MapleStory and Blue Archive, which covers a variety of genres, Nexon has both developed and published games that show a wide range of styles. While Blue Archive isn’t a traditional RTS, it’s still a strategy game. This experience could be invaluable if they decide to stick with what made StarCraft famous: its RTS roots.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on where the StarCraft IP should head next. Feel free to share your ideas!