Korean gaming giants race to secure StarCraft development rights from Blizzard
Summary
Four major Korean studios - NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton - are competing for a Blizzard contract to develop and publish new StarCraft games globally.
The deal covers multiple genres including RPGs and shooters, plus worldwide publishing rights.
Blizzard is simultaneously developing its own internal StarCraft shooter, led by a veteran Ubisoft director.
"They are being careful in selecting partners to entrust with the world-renowned IP of Starcraft"
01
Four Korean giants compete for a single Blizzard contract
NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble, and Krafton have entered full-scale competition for StarCraft development and global publishing rights.
The contract scope covers multiple new games across genres including RPGs and shooters.
Some companies reportedly traveled to Blizzard's California HQ to deliver in-person pitch presentations.
Winning this deal is seen as a vehicle for global expansion and monetization of one of gaming's most iconic IPs.
02
StarCraft's Korean legacy makes this IP battle uniquely high-stakes
StarCraft holds iconic cultural status in South Korea, with a professional e-sports scene dating back to the early 2000s.
Million-dollar prize pools and a deeply passionate local fanbase make this IP especially valuable to Korean publishers.
"Currently, Blizzard is known to be looking for game companies with development capabilities, publishing capabilities, and global marketing capabilities"
03
Blizzard is also building its own StarCraft title in parallel
Jason Schreier revealed Blizzard has been internally developing a new StarCraft shooter since around 2022.
The project is unrelated to the previously canceled StarCraft: Ghost and StarCraft: Ares.
Dan Hay, former Executive Director of Far Cry 3, 4, 5, 6, Primal, and Blood Dragon at Ubisoft, is leading the project.
04
StarCraft franchise revival could produce multiple new titles
The series has had no new installment since 2010 and is widely considered dormant.
If both tracks proceed, multiple new StarCraft games across genres could launch within the next few years.
The outcome of Blizzard's partner selection will shape how the IP is developed and distributed globally.
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