Nexon is reportedly close to securing rights from Blizzard to develop a sequel to the StarCraft series, according to a report from Korean outlet The Chosun Daily. If the reported agreement is finalised, Nexon could receive development rights for a new mainline StarCraft game, potentially leading to StarCraft III.
The report cites a senior gaming industry source who claims the contract between Nexon and Blizzard is close to completion. The source reportedly said that Nexon would hold development rights related to a sequel to the existing StarCraft series once the agreement is completed.
Several game companies from around the world have reportedly expressed interest in obtaining development rights for the StarCraft IP. Nexon is said to have become the preferred negotiation partner because of its ongoing relationship with Blizzard, including a recent domestic publishing agreement for Overwatch in South Korea.
Industry analysts quoted by The Chosun Daily believe a sequel developed with Korean players in mind could perform particularly well in the country. StarCraft reportedly continues to rank among the top 10 most popular games in South Korean PC bangs despite the original game launching nearly three decades ago.
The StarCraft series began in 1998 and became particularly influential in South Korea, where its competitive multiplayer scene helped establish the country as a major centre for esports. Blizzard later released StarCraft II, with its overarching story concluding with Legacy of the Void in 2015, followed by Nova Covert Ops in 2016.
Blizzard also released StarCraft: Remastered in 2017, updating the original game and Brood War with improved visuals while retaining their established gameplay. A traditional RTS sequel has not yet been announced, although recent reports have claimed that a new StarCraft shooter is also in development.
The reported Nexon deal has not been officially confirmed by either Nexon or Blizzard, so details regarding the potential project remain unconfirmed.
