Blizzard and Nexon working on new StarCraft game and a mobile version of Overwatch

[DragonSlayer101]

Rumor mill: It might be a tad early to start the hype train, but long-time StarCraft fans have good reason to be excited. Blizzard has sold the publishing rights for the RTS game to South Korea's Nexon, which beat out other bidders, including Krafton. We're anxiously awaiting official confirmation and further details.

Blizzard is reportedly collaborating with Nexon on the next installment in the StarCraft franchise and a mobile edition of Overwatch. According to South Korean news channel MTN, Blizzard has given Nexon publishing rights for the tentatively named Overwatch 3 in South Korea and Japan and development rights for the next StarCraft title.

Some companies internally bidding for the game's publishing rights in Asia referred to it as Overwatch 3, though Blizzard has not confirmed that name. The report describes it as a mobile-only MOBA but offers no further details about gameplay or design.

Blizzard originally planned to launch Overwatch Mobile alongside Overwatch 2 in 2023, but unspecified delays have kept it unreleased. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier previously confirmed the project, comparing it to Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile – titles that successfully transitioned from PC and console to mobile platforms.

The new StarCraft project also made headlines in March when Asia Today reported that several companies were bidding for global development and publishing rights. Krafton, NCSoft, and Netmarble were among the contenders. Nexon, which reportedly secured the deal, is best known for publishing The Finals and producing multiple MapleStory titles.

Details about the rumored StarCraft game remain scarce. According to the report, Blizzard's deal with Nexon does not specify a genre. If accurate, the arrangement raises questions about whether the franchise will return to its real-time strategy roots or shift toward a new format under Nexon's direction.

Blizzard's latest StarCraft project may be another attempt at a shooter following the cancellations of Ghost and Ares. Dan Hay, a former Far Cry executive producer who joined the company in 2022, leads the effort. After nearly a decade without a new installment, any forward movement is welcome news for fans eager to see the franchise return.

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Blizzard and Nexon working on new StarCraft game and a mobile version of Overwatch

 

[NumberNine]

Blizzard has lacked to capacity to produce anything worthwhile for quite some time now.
Sad to see them in this state, but they've worked hard to earn their current market position.

 

[Squid Surprise]

So gamers should be excited because some random company will be making an RTS and have purchased the right to call it StarCraft 3?

I mean, if you're just an RTS fan, sure... but this won't really be a sequel to SC2...

 

[yRaz]

Blizzard has lacked to capacity to produce anything worthwhile for quite some time now.
Sad to see them in this state, but they've worked hard to earn their current market position.

I remember the days where Blizzard and EA were the gold standards for gaming. My, how times have changed.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Blizzard is a shadow of what it once was. It has been a steady decline into mediocrity since OG WoW.

Blizz could have definitely done worse than Nexon, but the simple fact that they're sub-contracting development on their own (apparently unwanted) IPs out to third parties is... a decision for sure.

 

[ExReey]

Probably a SC1 remaster.

 

[trparky]

Please don’t suck, please don’t suck, please don’t suck…

 

[Axeia]

StarCraft ghost revival?
Blizzard has been sleeping on StarCraft so hard.

Should have had StarCraft 3 by now (with some serious custom map prowess), a tactical shooter - Ghost style and a survival game where Zerg are creeping up on you all the time.
And a TV series...

Then again Blizzard hasn't done a single thing right in many, many years. Perhaps Nexon will do better, hope they can hire some of the ex-Blizzard people that left.
(Although all games by ex-Blizzard employees are awfully disappointing as well [well, some aren't out yet but I can tell they're not for me already])

 

[Stoly]

Probably a SC1 remaster.

Actually, that might not be a bad idea.

 

[Milkyjoe]

"You have mobile phones dont you?"

 

[Homerlovesbeer]

Stupid mobile versions.... Society is already lacking personal interaction and doesn't need another reason to ignore the person across the table from them.

 

[yRaz]

Stupid mobile versions.... Society is already lacking personal interaction and doesn't need another reason to ignore the person across the table from them.

Mobile versions are always microtransation filled trash anyway. Very few mobile games are any good and that's tragic because it doesn't have to be that way.