From The Verge · Terrence O'Brien · · 1m 20s
StarCraft is back, and it's a shooter
Blizzard is waking StarCraft after 16 years, but the 2030 return is an open-world shooter, not the RTS fans wanted.
In brief
Blizzard is waking StarCraft after 16 years, but the 2030 return is an open-world shooter, not the RTS fans wanted. StarCraft's revival is real, but it's a genre swap: the 2030 game is an open-world shooter, and an RTS sequel still isn't on the table. Originally reported by The Verge.
StarCraft returns in 2030
Dan Hay, a VP at Blizzard, took the BlizzCon stage to announce a new game simply called StarCraft. It lands in 2030, ten years after the last StarCraft II expansion.
Not an RTS this time
Instead of another top-down real-time strategy game, Blizzard is making an open-world shooter set in the StarCraft universe.
“rather than another top-down real-time strategy installment, the new title would be an open-world shooter”
Blizzard tried this before
StarCraft: Ghost aimed for the same 3D shooter idea back in 2002. It rotted in development hell until president Mike Morhaime confirmed the cancellation in 2014.
Humans versus Zerg
The cinematic trailer follows the United Earth Directorate as they brace for the Zerg. The Protoss get only a passing mention.
A grim tone
After a rousing call to militarism, the propaganda-fed soldier meets the reality of combat. The character you follow for three minutes turns out to be disposable.
“disposable fuel for the meat grinder of war”
Fans still want StarCraft III
Excitement about the thaw is real, but plenty of players are holding out for a proper strategy follow-up to 2010's StarCraft II.
The essence
StarCraft's revival is real, but it's a genre swap: the 2030 game is an open-world shooter, and an RTS sequel still isn't on the table.
