Blizzard's new StarCraft title, currently in development, will be a narrative-driven open-world shooter. Project lead Dan Hay confirmed that the game features a complete story with a definitive ending, and its current development direction is not based on a seasonal model.
The title was officially unveiled at BlizzCon and will no longer follow the real-time strategy gameplay of the StarCraft series. Former Far Cry series lead Dan Hay now serves as the project's General Manager and Creative Director, describing the game's current envisioned structure as a "box product" rather than a live-service game with seasonal updates.
Under the current design, players can name their own character and then progress through that character's story. Dan Hay stated that the plot includes a beginning, middle, and end, allowing players to freely explore a content-rich open world.
It sounds like the new StarCraft game will not be a live-service title, or at least will have very few such elements. If that's the case, fans should be delighted. Blizzard seems poised to deliver a game akin to Far Cry but set within the StarCraft universe, which alone is compelling enough without needing extra frills.
However, Hay cautioned that things could change in the coming months or even years. "You can freely explore a rich open world, but our story has a clear ending. Think of it as buying a standalone boxed game, playing it, and experiencing its narrative. We hope players enjoy it, fall in love with it, and return later. At least, the game we are developing now is not a seasonal title."
If they pursue this path, a structure similar to the Borderlands series seems like a safe compromise. The trailer clearly carries the style of Helldivers 2, but it appears it won't rely on online connectivity as heavily as that title does.
Hay is the General Manager and Creative Director for the new StarCraft title. He previously held senior management roles on Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, Far Cry 5, and Far Cry 6, giving him deep insight into what makes popular shooters successful. During his time at Blizzard, he also contributed to several Diablo 4 expansions, further enriching his experience.
He previously held senior management roles on Far Cry 6 and has also worked on two expansions for Diablo 4 since joining Blizzard. Blizzard has not yet announced the release date or platforms for the new StarCraft title.