Blizzard may finally be returning to the StarCraft universe, but not in the way longtime fans might expect. According to recent reports, a brand-new StarCraft title is currently in development, and instead of being an RTS, it’s said to be a third-person shooter. Even more interesting, the game is reportedly being positioned as a major reveal potentially even a headline announcement for BlizzCon 2026.

If true, this would mark the most significant movement for the StarCraft franchise in years. Since StarCraft II wrapped up its story with Legacy of the Void and later went free-to-play, the series has largely been dormant outside of esports support and nostalgia-fueled conversations. Attempts to expand the universe in other genres, including the famously cancelled StarCraft: Ghost, never quite made it across the finish line.

This time, however, Blizzard appears to be taking a much more deliberate swing.

Rather than revisiting the traditional real-time strategy format the franchise is known for, the new project is reportedly built as a third-person shooter, potentially putting players directly in the boots of a Terran soldier, Protoss warrior, or even a Zerg-aligned character. While concrete gameplay details remain under wraps, the shift suggests a more character-driven, action-focused experience that leans into the universe’s sci-fi warfare from a ground-level perspective.

The move makes a certain amount of sense given Blizzard’s recent history. With Overwatch still representing the company’s strongest modern shooter DNA, a third-person StarCraft game could allow Blizzard to repurpose its strengths in world-building, character design, and cinematic presentation while avoiding direct competition in the increasingly crowded RTS space. It also opens the door for a more accessible entry point for players who may admire StarCraft’s lore but bounced off its famously demanding gameplay.

Reports also suggest that Blizzard sees this project as a tentpole moment not a quiet side announcement, but something big enough to anchor BlizzCon 2026. That alone implies confidence, especially after several years of public scrutiny, internal restructuring, and cautious releases. A major StarCraft reveal would signal a renewed willingness to invest in legacy franchises rather than relying solely on Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch.

Of course, the idea of a shooter set in the StarCraft universe will inevitably divide fans. For some, anything that isn’t a traditional RTS risks missing the point of the series. For others, it represents a long-overdue chance to explore the setting in a more immersive way something Blizzard has flirted with before but never successfully delivered.

At this stage, it’s unclear how closely the new game would tie into existing StarCraft canon, or whether it would serve as a standalone story designed to bring new players into the fold. There’s also no word yet on platforms, multiplayer ambitions, or whether this would be a live-service experience or a more self-contained narrative-driven title.

Still, the mere fact that StarCraft is reportedly back in active development and being positioned as a major showcase title is enough to reignite interest. Whether this third-person shooter becomes the franchise’s bold reinvention or another ambitious experiment remains to be seen.

If the reports are accurate, BlizzCon 2026 could be the moment StarCraft finally breaks its long silence just not with a mouse-and-keyboard RTS, but with boots on the ground and a gun in hand.