The concept of a Blizzard-produced, StarCraft-focused shooter has been circulating since the initial announcement of StarCraft: Ghost in 2002. However, with the project’s subsequent cancellation, it seemed like the idea was put to rest. After Blizzard abandoned their next endeavor in 2019 to prioritize Overwatch 2, fans lost hope. But a recent IGN interview with Jason Schreier has reignited a spark of optimism. Could this be the successful third attempt?
In the interview, Schreier mentioned that “StarCraft is not dead at Blizzard.” He hinted at a project centered around developing a shooter within the StarCraft universe, though he acknowledged the possibility of it meeting the same fate as the previous two attempts.
Schreier didn’t provide specifics on the game’s features, release timeline, or perspective (first-person or third-person). However, he did reveal that Dan Hay, the director of Far Cry 5, is leading the project – a promising sign.
The initial attempt, StarCraft: Ghost, was envisioned as a third-person stealth game focusing on the Ghost unit. Announced in 2002, it was put on hold in 2006 and officially scrapped in 2014 after years of silence. The second effort, codenamed ‘Ares,’ aimed for Battlefield-like influences but was overshadowed by more popular titles.
So why should you be hopeful this time? Blizzard currently has more support than in recent years, backed by Microsoft’s resources. The project is under the guidance of a seasoned director like Hay. Additionally, with the single-player campaigns of both StarCraft and StarCraft 2 coming to Game Pass, the timing is perfect for Blizzard to leverage the franchise’s nostalgia and popularity.
