Blizzard says new StarCraft will keep 'gritty' atmosphere of original RTS

Blizzard said the new StarCraft, announced at BlizzCon 2026 as an open-world story shooter, will retain the 'gritty' atmosphere of the original RTS and be inspired by the 'interstellar western.' Release is planned for 2030.

• New StarCraft is an open-world story shooter, not an RTS
• CEO Dan Hay: the original felt like an 'interstellar western'
• Faction asymmetry and an 'imperfect world' are key to the atmosphere
• Game release scheduled for 2030