If you're a die-hard StarCraft fan, buckle up—rumors are swirling that Blizzard is finally dusting off its iconic sci-fi universe for a major reveal. A new third-person shooter set in the StarCraft world is “likely” to take center stage at BlizzCon 2026, marking the franchise's biggest moment in nearly a decade.This isn't just idle chatter. Windows Central's Jez Corden, a reliable Xbox insider, dropped the bombshell in a preview of Xbox's 2026 lineup. “The headline for BlizzCon 2026 is most likely going to be StarCraft,” Corden writes. “It was previously reported that StarCraft is getting the third-person shooter treatment, and I confirmed these rumors true via my own sources a while back.”BlizzCon 2026 kicks off September 12-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center, with passes already on sale. While Blizzard hasn't teased anything specific yet, the event's lineup includes esports showdowns like the Overwatch World Cup and a new Blizzard Classic Cup featuring StarCraft Remastered and StarCraft II—hinting at some Terran, Zerg, and Protoss love.
The Rumors: From Schreier to Corden
This isn't a fresh leak—it's been bubbling since September 2024. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier first spilled the beans in his book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, revealing a secret StarCraft project led by Dan Hay, the former head of Ubisoft's Far Cry series.Insider Gaming picked it up then, and now Corden's confirmation has lit the fuse. No gameplay footage, no platforms, no release date—just the promise of a third-person shooter dropping Zerglings and blasting Ultralisks from an over-the-shoulder view. Fans on Reddit and X are buzzing: Could it be a co-op horde shooter like Helldivers 2? An open-world Far Cry-style romp through the Koprulu Sector? Or something stealthy like the canceled Ghost?One thing's clear: Blizzard's betting big on this as BlizzCon's marquee moment, alongside Diablo IV expansions, World of Warcraft: The Last Titan, and Overwatch/Hearthstone updates.
Meet Dan Hay: The Far Cry Vet Taking the Helm
Dan Hay isn't new to high-stakes shooters. He spent over a decade at Ubisoft Montreal, directing Far Cry 5 and executive producing Far Cry 6. Hay moved to Blizzard in 2022, and sources say he's spearheading this StarCraft spin-off.Imagine Far Cry's cult outposts swapped for infested Terran bases or Protoss temples. Hay's track record suggests a single-player focus with emergent chaos, but Blizzard's live-service pivot post-Microsoft acquisition could mean multiplayer elements too.
Blizzard's Rocky History with StarCraft Shooters
This isn't Blizzard's first rodeo—and that's the elephant in the room. The studio has tried (and failed) to branch StarCraft beyond real-time strategy twice before.StarCraft: Ghost (2002-2006): Announced as a stealth-action third-person shooter starring psionic Ghost operative Nova, it promised console play with sneaking, gadgets, and clutch grabs. Devs switched from Nihilistic Software to Swingin' Ape Studios, leading to an “identity crisis” between stealth and action. Put on indefinite hold in 2006, officially canceled in 2014.
Project Ares (2017-2019): A Battlefield-style first-person shooter prototype cooked up internally. Canceled after two years to shift resources to Diablo IV and Overwatch 2.
Third time's the charm? Fans hope so, but Blizzard's notorious for killing projects that don't hit “timeless” status.
Why StarCraft Deserves This Comeback
StarCraft turned 28 last year and remains a titan. The original sold over 11 million copies; StarCraft II topped 12 million by 2020, with free-to-play campaigns keeping it alive. Esports legacy? Unmatched—Korea’s GSL and global WCS drew millions, birthing stars like Serral and Maru. StarCraft II's co-op commanders and ladder scene still thrive in 2026.But it's been quiet: StarCraft: Remastered (2017) was the last release, StarCraft II's base game (2010) the last original. A shooter could inject fresh life, especially with crossovers like Diablo IV's StarCraft skins.
What to Expect at BlizzCon 2026
Expect a cinematic trailer with Kerrigan whispers, Raynor grunts, and Zeratul visions. Platforms? PC for sure, maybe Xbox Game Pass day-one given Microsoft's ownership. Multiplayer? Co-op campaigns fit Blizzard's MO.BlizzCon itself: Esports galore, merch hauls, and community cosplay. Passes start at $200+; book hotels early.
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