Nexon, the developer behind MapleStory, Blue Archive, and The Finals, will be the company making the next StarCraft game, as per South Korean business news site MTN.
The company was one of a number of developers and publishers taking part in bidding to win the rights to Blizzard’s IP , among it the rights to make StarCraft games. Nexon beat out NCSoft, Netmarble, and Krafton to secure the rights to make a new StarCraft game in Korea.
Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment
Korean Dev Nexon Will Make the Next StarCraft Game
As per MTN, in a report from April 29, Nexon’s winning pitch included a “unique” take on the StarCraft universe and potentially distribution rights for a new Overwatch title, entitled either Overwatch Mobile, or Overwatch 3. While Blizzard fans are definitely weary of mobile titles (Diablo Immortal is still a bitter taste in many people’s mouths), any Overwatch is good Overwatch for fans of the game. Right?
Most importantly, though, is the creation of a new StarCraft title made in the unofficial home of StarCraft, South Korea. Korea has a long and storied history with StarCraft, with Brood War esports first finding mass adoption in the country. A powerhouse in the esports world, Korea owes much of its pedigree to StarCraft. Now one of their native developers will be developing the newest title in the franchise.
Image Credit: Nexon
According to the MTN report, the bidding and pitching process was fierce, because of the difficulty of creating StarCraft game that could live up to the hugely popular original or sequel, StarCraft 2. Both are considered some of the best RTS games of all-time . NCSoft reportedly had its CEO, Park Byung-moo personally led the bidding, while Netmarble held an open competition within its company for development ideas.
With Nexon’s “unique” take on the StarCraft universe, fans are left wondering what could be in store for StarCraft in the future. The company’s previous titles are very different beasts to Blizzard’s hit RTS. MapleStory is a notoriously addictive MMORPG. Blue Archive, is a mobile gacha title.
With StarCraft esports likely dead in the waters, will this new title be a revitalization, or another nail in the coffin?
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