Blizzard Entertainment will release its next StarCraft title as an open-world first-person shooter in 2030, marking the first new installment in the franchise since 2015, according to announcements made at BlizzCon 2026 by general manager and vice president Dan Hay.
Shift to Open-World First-Person Shooter Format
According to an interview with IGN conducted by Dan Hay, the development team chose an open-world format to let players experience the battlefield directly. Hay stated that the studio wanted users to explore vistas, discover locations, and disrupt various factions on the ground.
Speaking to Korean media, as reported by PC Gamer, Hay explained that players will create, name, and follow a single character through a story with a definitive beginning, middle, and end. Hay noted that the title functions as a standalone boxed game rather than a seasonal service.
Franchise History and Cancelled Precedents
The upcoming 2030 release follows a long dormancy for the sci-fi franchise. The original StarCraft debuted in 1998, while the last entry, StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void, launched in 2015. Previous attempts to bring the series into a 3D shooter perspective faced cancellation.
Other BlizzCon 2026 Announcements
Alongside the StarCraft reveal, Blizzard announced Diablo 5 for a spring 2029 release, alongside new content for Diablo 4 and an animated Diablo series currently in development at Netflix. The company also detailed World of Warcraft: Forever, a remastered expansion featuring three new zones, over 1,000 new quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and the Skyborne race. The beta for World of Warcraft: Forever is scheduled to begin on September 17, with a full release following on November 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new StarCraft game be released?
Blizzard scheduled the release of the new StarCraft title for 2030.
Who is leading the development of the new StarCraft?
Dan Hay, Blizzard general manager and vice president, leads the project.
Will the new StarCraft be a real-time strategy game?
No. Blizzard is shifting the franchise away from its traditional RTS formula to an open-world first-person shooter.
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