Blizzard Hires for Unannounced StarCraft Shooter

Blizzard Entertainment is actively hiring key talent for an unannounced AAA open-world shooter, reigniting speculation that the studio is developing a new entry in its long-dormant StarCraft franchise. The project, still in early pre-production, marks a potential shift for the series from its traditional real-time strategy roots to a third-person action format, according to multiple industry reports.

The latest indication came from a job posting on Blizzard's careers page seeking a Lead Designer with at least 15 years of experience in game design, including four years leading teams. The role emphasizes innovative prototyping using Unreal Engine 5, an unusual choice for Blizzard, which typically relies on in-house engines for titles like World of Warcraft and Diablo. Officials at the studio have not confirmed the project's details, but the emphasis on open-world mechanics and extensive Unreal Engine expertise has drawn parallels to ambitious sci-fi environments.

Leadership for the initiative falls to Dan Hay, a veteran producer who previously oversaw the Far Cry series at Ubisoft. Hay's background in large-scale open-world action games aligns with the post's requirements for...