In an intriguing development for gaming enthusiasts, Blizzard Entertainment has posted a job ad that hints at an “upcoming open-world shooter game.” The industry is abuzz with speculation that this project might be a reboot of the beloved StarCraft franchise in a first-person shooter format.
Job Opening Sparks Speculation
On November 13, Blizzard advertised for an Associate Design Director specializing in innovation for a currently unannounced game. The job description provides some tantalizing insights:
As the Design Director of Innovation, you will be the vision holder and owner of key strategic innovations on an upcoming open-world shooter game. You stay current with the latest developments in both the indie and AAA space. David Bowie is quoted as saying, “Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” This idea of innovating in the deep end excites you, balanced with a pragmatic desire to turn dreams into reality that players can get their hands on and enjoy.
This announcement confirms Blizzard’s ambition to delve into the open-world shooter genre, but what specific game are they working on?
StarCraft: The Phoenix Rises?
Rumors have swirled around Blizzard’s attempts to develop a StarCraft shooter for years. In September, reports surfaced of a third effort to bring a StarCraft FPS to life, led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay, who joined Blizzard in 2022. This news was highlighted by Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier during a podcast discussion about his recent book, “Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment.”
The History of StarCraft Shooters
“If it’s not canceled!” was Schreier’s response when asked about the likelihood of the new StarCraft shooter seeing the light of day. He remarked on Blizzard’s rocky history with StarCraft shooters, noting:
“Yes, that is a project that as far as I know is in development, or at least as of the time that I wrote this book was in development. They are working on a StarCraft shooter; StarCraft is not dead at Blizzard.”
Blizzard’s history with StarCraft shooters has been tumultuous. The first attempt, StarCraft Ghost, was unveiled in 2002 and promised a tactical-action experience featuring a Ghost operative. However, after numerous delays, it was ultimately canceled in 2006.
A subsequent project, codenamed Ares, faced a similar fate. Announced in 2019, this shooter was described as “like Battlefield in the StarCraft universe” but was shelved to allow Blizzard to focus on titles like Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2.
Leadership Changes and Future Prospects
Dan Hay, who has a storied career at Ubisoft, played pivotal roles in the development of multiple Far Cry games before joining Blizzard. His experience positions him well to lead this ambitious project, raising hopes for a successful revival of the StarCraft universe.
Moreover, Blizzard’s recent moves indicate a renewed focus on StarCraft. The release of StarCraft: Remastered and the StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection on Game Pass, along with a crossover event with Hearthstone, suggest that Blizzard is gearing up for a major resurgence of the franchise.
Conclusion: A New Era for StarCraft?
As the gaming community eagerly anticipates further announcements from Blizzard, the possibility of an open-world StarCraft shooter could represent a significant shift in the franchise’s direction. With a storied past and a dedicated fan base, the stakes are high for Blizzard as they embark on this new adventure.
