**Blizzard Aims to Revisit Starcraft – But It Won’t Be a Strategy Game**
Blizzard Entertainment, the legendary creator of some of gaming’s most cherished franchises, is apparently gearing up for a new chapter in the *Starcraft* universe. However, as per insider information from journalist Jason Schreier, this upcoming endeavor will not fall under the real-time strategy (RTS) category, the genre that propelled *Starcraft* into the spotlight. Rather, Blizzard is once again considering the concept of a *Starcraft* shooter, a notion that has faced attempts – and subsequent cancellations – on two separate occasions.
### Third Time’s the Charm?
In a recent installment of IGN’s podcast *Unlocked*, Schreier, recognized for his investigative work in the gaming sector, shared insights from his forthcoming book *Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment*, which is expected to hit shelves in December 2024. During the episode, Schreier disclosed that Blizzard is actively developing a new *Starcraft* project, details of which he uncovered while conducting research for his book. His sources indicate that the project is being spearheaded by Dan Hay, a former Ubisoft producer celebrated for his contributions to the *Far Cry* series.
Having joined Blizzard in 2022, Hay possesses a robust background in the shooter genre, having played a key role in the development of *Far Cry 3* through *Far Cry 6*. This experience positions him well to lead a *Starcraft* shooter, a genre Blizzard has previously attempted to explore twice with endeavors that ultimately failed to materialize.
While Schreier refrained from providing specific details about the new title or its stage of development, he emphasized that Blizzard appears committed to making a *Starcraft* shooter a reality, regardless of prior setbacks. “Blizzard just can’t distance itself from *Starcraft* shooters,” Schreier remarked humorously, referencing the company’s two past attempts: *Starcraft: Ghost* and a project codenamed *Ares*.
### The Ghost of Starcraft’s Past: *Starcraft: Ghost*
Blizzard’s initial foray into a *Starcraft* shooter occurred in the early 2000s with *Starcraft: Ghost*. Announced in 2002, *Ghost* was designed to be a third-person action-stealth game that would allow players to immerse themselves in the *Starcraft* universe from a different angle. The narrative was to follow Nova, a Terran Ghost operative, as she undertook covert missions in the war-ravaged galaxy.
Unfortunately, *Starcraft: Ghost* swiftly became emblematic of development hell. The game faced multiple delays, and after years of uncertainty, it was indefinitely postponed in 2006. While Blizzard didn’t officially cancel the game until 2014, leaked footage and images from the mid-2000s imply that the project was likely abandoned much earlier. The leaked visuals showed a game that, despite its potential, seemed significantly outdated in terms of graphics and gameplay mechanics when compared to other titles from that era.
Despite its shortcomings, *Starcraft: Ghost* continues to intrigue fans of the franchise, many of whom still hope for Nova’s story to be revealed in some manner.
### Project *Ares*: A Battlefield in the *Starcraft* Universe
Blizzard’s subsequent attempt at a *Starcraft* shooter was in the form of a project codenamed *Ares*, which was first disclosed by Jason Schreier in 2019. In contrast to *Ghost*, which was a third-person title, *Ares* was conceived as a first-person shooter reminiscent of *Battlefield*, situated within the *Starcraft* universe. The game was reportedly an experimental project to explore the capabilities of the *Overwatch* engine in an alternate setting.
Based on Schreier’s sources, *Ares* was further in development than *Ghost* had ever reached, but it was ultimately shelved in favor of reallocating resources to *Overwatch 2* and *Diablo 4*. The team working on *Ares* was reassigned to these more pressing projects, and the *Starcraft* shooter was placed back on the shelf.
### What’s Next for *Starcraft*?
With *Starcraft* being inactive for 14 years, numerous fans have speculated whether Blizzard would ever revisit the franchise. The last significant release in the series, *Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty*, debuted in 2010 and was succeeded by two expansions, *Heart of the Swarm* (2013) and *Legacy of the Void* (2015). While *Starcraft II* remains a favored game in the esports arena, the franchise has largely been silent in terms of new material.
Nonetheless, Blizzard’s renewed focus on a *Starcraft* shooter implies that the company still perceives potential within the universe, even if it’s not in