Since the initial announcement of StarCraft: Ghost in 2002, the concept of a shooter anchored in the StarCraft universe has been in the air, yet the project’s eventual cancellation seemed to put an end to that dream. When Blizzard discontinued the next iteration in 2019 to prioritize Overwatch 2, hope dwindled. However, a recent IGN interview with Jason Schreier has reignited that spark. Could the third time be the charm?
In the interview, Schreier stated, “StarCraft is not dead at Blizzard.” He hinted at a project aimed at developing a shooter set within the StarCraft world, although he cautioned that it could face the same fate as its predecessors.
Details about what this new game might entail, its release timeframe, or whether it would be a first- or third-person experience were not disclosed. However, Schreier did reveal that Dan Hay, known for his work on Far Cry 5, is directing the project, which is promising news.
The first attempt, titled StarCraft: Ghost, was designed as a third-person stealth game centered on the Ghost unit— a psionic spy-commando. Although it was announced in 2002, the game went inactive in 2006 and was ultimately canceled in 2014 after a long period of silence. According to Schreier, Blizzard’s second attempt, codenamed Ares, aimed to borrow elements from Battlefield but was ultimately sidelined in favor of more commercially viable projects.
So, why should fans feel optimistic now? Blizzard is in a much stronger position than in recent years. With Microsoft behind them, they have enhanced funding. The project is under the guidance of an experienced director, Dan Hay. Furthermore, as both StarCraft and StarCraft 2 single-player campaigns arrive on Game Pass, there’s no better time for Blizzard to tap into the nostalgia that the franchise invokes.