Highlights
- The President of Blizzard Entertainment hints at the potential return of the beloved real-time-strategy series StarCraft after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- Despite being less prominent than other franchises, StarCraft played a pivotal role in shaping the RTS genre and popularizing esports.
- While no definitive plans for a new StarCraft title have been announced, there is optimism for creative freedom and diversification of resources under Xbox ownership.
The President of Blizzard Entertainment has hinted at the potential return of the beloved real-time-strategy behemoth StarCraft. Microsoft’s recent $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard could potentially pave the way for the return of the iconic sci-fi classic.
The video-game industry's biggest-ever takeover deal was finalized on October 13, 2023, nearly two years after Microsoft first announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, the developers of many giants of the gaming world such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo. Less prominent than many of these other franchises now owned by Xbox – but equally important for its role in both Blizzard’s history and for shaping the RTS genre as it is today – is StarCraft.
Despite critical acclaim and a monumental role in popularizing early esports, the best-selling strategy franchise has remained relatively dormant while Blizzard's other franchises have thrived. Diablo 4's popularity shows that Blizzard is more than capable of resurrecting old IPs, yet 2010's StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty was the last new title in the series (aside from a remaster of the original game in 2017). However, speaking to Bloomberg, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has teased that a more hands-off approach under Xbox may allow for a potential return to the StarCraft series in the future.
“It’s not me saying, ‘Go make a StarCraft game,'” Ybarra said. “I need to have someone who has the vision and passion that comes with the idea, and I’ll bet on that team.” Although fans will be disappointed to hear that there are no definitive plans for a new StarCraft title, Ybarra goes on to share his optimism that an era of greater creative freedom under Xbox will allow them to diversify their resources. A brand new survival-based IP from Blizzard is already in development, and it seems likely that a new entry to the StarCraft series would be approved if a passionate and talented team were to emerge.
Mike Ybarra: “I need to have someone who has the vision and passion that comes with the idea, and I’ll bet on that team.”
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard may signal new opportunities for the company, especially after accusations of workplace harassment and unexpected layoffs at Blizzard have tarnished its reputation in recent years. Xbox boss Phil Spencer made a surprise appearance at BlizzCon 2023’s opening ceremony, specifically praising the franchise to much applause from the audience. “StarCraft spawned the foundation for what esports would eventually become," said Spencer, "and StarCraft 2 was a major catalyst for the evolution of games as live entertainment."
Microsoft also has a long history with the RTS genre, and with more and more popular strategy franchises being ported over to the Xbox, such as Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and RimWorld, a new StarCraft title could even be released on both PC and console as a welcome addition to GamePass. Maybe one day gamers will even be able to Zerg Rush their friends from the comfort of their own sofas. It's also entirely possible that a console StarCraft might not even be a strategy game at all.
StarCraft
StarCraft was crafted by James Phinney and Chris Metzen. The original release was published by Blizzard Entertainment and the IP has been in control of the company ever since. The real-time strategy release sees players taking control of different races like the Terran, Zerg, Protoss, and more, as they battle against one another for galactic dominance.
