PC Gaming Legend StarCraft to Return as a Shooter Game in 2030

StarCraft, the real-time strategy (RTS) game that shaped the PC bang culture of the past in South Korea, is making a comeback as an open-world shooter game.

Blizzard Entertainment announced at the opening ceremony of BlizzCon 2026, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California local time on the 12th, that it will release the next installment of StarCraft in 2030.

The 3-minute trailer unveiled that day featured cinematic direction depicting a Terran Dominion marine from StarCraft I and II being deployed to the battlefield alongside fellow soldiers after training, and eventually falling in battle against the Zerg.

However, aside from the planned 2030 release date, actual gameplay footage and specific details were not disclosed.

Dan Hay, who served as the executive producer for parts 3 through 6 of the Far Cry series at European game company Ubisoft, took the stage in person that day to introduce the upcoming StarCraft title.

Producer Hay said, "It is an open-world shooter game where you fight for every step not from a bird's-eye view, but from the ground, in the mud, and in the flames," adding, "It is an opportunity to push the limits while honoring the legacy, atmosphere, and essence of the past."

He also mentioned the development process, saying, "A few years ago, we put together a team worthy of carrying on the legacy of one of Blizzard's most beloved games, and we are right here now."

This marks the first time an official shooter game set in the StarCraft universe will be released.

Across the entire franchise, it is also the first new game announcement in 10 years, following "StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops" released by Blizzard in 2016.

StarCraft is a title officially launched by Blizzard in 1998 that ushered in the golden age of the RTS genre.

In 2010, the sequel "StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty" was released, followed by Zerg and Protoss-themed expansion packs "Heart of the Swarm" and "Legacy of the Void," as well as the story expansion DLC (downloadable content) "Nova Covert Ops."

(Photo: Captured from Blizzard's YouTube channel, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.