Blizzard announces open-world StarCraft shooter for 2030

Blizzard Entertainment officially unveiled a new entry in the StarCraft franchise during the opening ceremony of BlizzCon 2026. The project, which marks a significant departure from the series' traditional real-time strategy roots, is being developed as an open-world shooter. Dan Hay, a Blizzard general manager and vice president, is leading the development team for the title.

The announcement included a cinematic trailer that depicted the human United Earth Directorate faction preparing for conflict against the Zerg. The footage emphasized a gritty tone, focusing on the harsh realities of war from the perspective of a disposable soldier. While the trailer provided a thematic look at the setting, Blizzard did not share specific details regarding gameplay mechanics, target platforms, or potential multiplayer components.

Dan Hay, who previously oversaw the Far Cry series at Ubisoft, is spearheading the project. His background in managing expansive, systemic open-world environments is widely viewed as a primary influence on the game's direction. Hay was previously identified as the lead for a Blizzard survival game codenamed Odyssey, which was canceled in early 2024 following company-wide layoffs. It remains unclear how much of the work from that project, if any, has been integrated into the new StarCraft title.

The 2030 release window is notably distant, suggesting a long development cycle ahead for the studio. This project represents Blizzard's latest attempt to expand the StarCraft brand beyond the strategy genre, following the high-profile cancellation of StarCraft: Ghost in 2014. Despite the long wait, the reveal confirms that the franchise, which has been dormant since the release of StarCraft II in 2010, is once again a focus for the developer.