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Rumor mill: It might be a tad early to start the hype train, but long-time StarCraft fans have good reason to be excited. Blizzard has sold the publishing rights for the RTS game to South Korea’s Nexon, which beat out other bidders, including Krafton. We’re anxiously awaiting official confirmation and further details.
Blizzard is reportedly collaborating with Nexon on the next installment in the StarCraft franchise and a mobile edition of Overwatch. According to South Korean news channel MTN, Blizzard has given Nexon publishing rights for the tentatively named Overwatch 3 in South Korea and Japan and development rights for the next StarCraft title.
Some companies internally bidding for the game’s publishing rights in Asia referred to it as Overwatch 3, though Blizzard has not confirmed that name. The report describes it as a mobile-only MOBA but offers no further details about gameplay or design.
Blizzard originally planned to launch Overwatch Mobile alongside Overwatch 2 in 2023, but unspecified delays have kept it unreleased. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier previously confirmed the project, comparing it to Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile – titles that successfully transitioned from PC and console to mobile platforms.
The new StarCraft project also made headlines in March when Asia Today reported that several companies were bidding for global development and publishing rights. Krafton, NCSoft, and Netmarble were among the contenders. Nexon, which reportedly secured the deal, is best known for publishing The Finals and producing multiple MapleStory titles.
Details about the rumored StarCraft game remain scarce. According to the report, Blizzard’s deal with Nexon does not specify a genre. If accurate, the arrangement raises questions about whether the franchise will return to its real-time strategy roots or shift toward a new format under Nexon’s direction.
Blizzard’s latest StarCraft project may be another attempt at a shooter following the cancellations of Ghost and Ares. Dan Hay, a former Far Cry executive producer who joined the company in 2022, leads the effort. After nearly a decade without a new installment, any forward movement is welcome news for fans eager to see the franchise return.
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