The idea of a Blizzard-made, StarCraft-focused shooter has been a tantalizing dream for fans since the initial announcement of StarCraft: Ghost back in 2002. Unfortunately, the project’s subsequent cancellation seemed to bury those hopes for good. When Blizzard shut down their next attempt in 2019 to prioritize Overwatch 2, fans almost completely lost faith. However, a recent interview with Jason Schreier on IGN has reignited that fading ember of hope.
Schreier states, “StarCraft is not dead at Blizzard,” revealing the existence of a project dedicated to creating a shooter set within the beloved StarCraft universe. While he acknowledges the possibility of cancellation, just like its predecessors, Schreier’s revelation has sparked excitement among the fanbase. He didn’t provide any specifics about the game’s potential appearance, release date, or whether it would be a first-person or third-person shooter. However, Schreier did mention that Dan Hay, the director of Far Cry 5, is leading the project. Hay’s experience in the gaming industry brings a wave of optimism, especially considering the lackluster reception of the previous attempts.
The first attempt, known as StarCraft: Ghost, was intended to be a third-person stealth game focusing on the Ghost unit, a psionic spy-commando. It was announced in 2002, but faced a hiatus in 2006 and was ultimately canceled in 2014 after years of silence. Schreier revealed that the second attempt, codenamed Ares, was inspired by Battlefield and was intended to incorporate similar elements. However, it was ultimately shelved in favor of other, more popular projects.
Why is there renewed hope this time around? Blizzard seems to be on a more stable footing than in recent years. Microsoft’s backing provides a substantial source of funding. The project has a seasoned director in Hay. And finally, with the single-player campaigns of both StarCraft and StarCraft 2 now available on Game Pass, it’s the perfect time for Blizzard to capitalize on the nostalgia and popularity of the franchise. The combination of these factors creates a promising scenario for the long-awaited StarCraft shooter. Fans are holding their breath, hoping that this third attempt will finally deliver on the dream of a captivating StarCraft-themed shooter.
