Nexon is reportedly working on a new game based on the StarCraft intellectual property, potentially reviving the long-running franchise in a shooter format. The claim comes from a report by a Korean media outlet, citing multiple industry sources familiar with the project’s status.
According to the report, Nexon signed a content development cooperation agreement with Blizzard last year related to the StarCraft IP. Following this agreement, the company is said to have completed preliminary preparations, including the formation of a dedicated development organization and the recruitment of key personnel. These steps are described as indications that active development has now begun.
Industry sources reportedly expect the project to take the form of a shooter rather than a traditional real-time strategy game. The title is said to be positioned under Nexon’s Shooter Headquarters, the internal division responsible for shooting games such as Sudden Attack. This placement has fueled speculation that the new StarCraft project may be developed as either a first-person or third-person shooter, representing a significant genre shift for the franchise.
One of the most notable reported hires for the project is Choi Jun-ho, who has joined as Planning Lead. Choi is known as the creator of Temple Siege, a highly popular custom map from the original StarCraft’s Use Map Settings scene. The report suggests that Nexon’s decision to bring in a developer deeply familiar with StarCraft’s systems and community-driven content reflects an intention to reinterpret the IP beyond its original RTS framework, potentially blending shooter gameplay with competitive multiplayer elements.
StarCraft, first released in Korea in 1998, is widely regarded as a defining title in the history of real-time strategy games and the global esports industry. Despite the passage of nearly three decades, the franchise continues to maintain strong brand recognition and an active fan base. However, aside from the StarCraft Remastered release in 2017, there has been little movement on major new entries in the series.
The report also notes that rumors have circulated recently suggesting that Blizzard is developing a third-person shooter set in the StarCraft universe. According to the outlet, this has added credibility to the idea that Nexon, rather than Blizzard directly, could be the developer behind such a project, given the existing cooperation agreement.
Despite the apparent progress, the report emphasizes that the project is still undergoing rigorous internal evaluation. Sources claim Nexon is currently conducting prototype development and business feasibility reviews, and there is no guarantee the game will proceed to full production. The outlet points to Nexon’s past experience with securing the Final Fantasy IP in 2015, which ultimately did not result in a released title, as an example of how early-stage projects can be halted.
Nexon has not officially confirmed the existence of the project. When asked for comment, the company reportedly stated, “We cannot confirm anything.”
For now, the StarCraft shooter remains unannounced and unverified. Still, the combination of a globally recognized IP and Nexon’s experience in live service and multiplayer-driven games has already drawn significant attention within the industry, even at this early stage.
