Blizzard has confirmed a new StarCraft game, and it is planned as an open-world shooter simply titled StarCraft. The long-awaited return is still years away, with release not expected until 2030.
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A grim first look at the new StarCraft
The announcement included a cinematic rather than gameplay footage or detailed information. It follows recruits preparing to fight the Swarm while a motivational military speech plays in the background.
The soldiers eventually arm themselves and enter a combat zone filled with enemies. Holt, the character at the centre of the sequence, suffers a weapon malfunction during the battle. The cinematic then cuts to Holt’s destroyed armour, with his remains visible, strongly suggesting that he was killed.
A long wait for Blizzard’s next StarCraft
Beyond that cinematic, Blizzard has shared very little about the project. The most recent StarCraft release was StarCraft: Remastered in 2017. The last entirely new entry was StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty, released in 2010.
That lengthy gap has made the new project notable, particularly because a StarCraft shooter has been discussed for years. Blizzard cancelled the Ares project in 2019, while a 2024 job listing pointed towards an open-world shooter that may be this same game.
That project was reportedly led by Dan Hay, a former Ubisoft developer and the director of Far Cry 5. Blizzard has not provided gameplay, platforms or further launch details in the reveal covered here.
What arcade fans can take from the reveal
A future StarCraft shooter could be an interesting fit for players who enjoy dedicated shooting hardware, although there is currently no indication of an arcade release or light-gun support. For a broader look at choosing dedicated gaming hardware, consult our Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
Until Blizzard shares more, the project remains a cinematic announcement with a very distant target: 2030. Readers comparing the possibilities of home arcade setups can also browse RETROCADE’s arcade machines or explore arcade light guns for existing shooter-focused hardware.
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