Is Blizzard bringing back its legendary RTS under a different genre?

Ybarra's openness to a new StarCraft project hinges on finding someone within the organization who carries the necessary vision for the series matched by genuine passion for the genre - a dream that could warp the franchise into uncharted spaces beyond its RTS roots. This aligns with sentiments expressed by Xbox head Phil Spencer, who expressed enthusiasm about delving into the back catalogs of Blizzard's venerable series after the deal became official.

The future of StarCraft, however, may look different from its past. With a significant number of developers experienced in RTS having left Blizzard, the evidence on hand suggests that the series could be reinvented in a new genre entirely. A genuinely interesting idea could be a revisit to the infamously canceled game, StarCraft: Ghost, which Blizzard probably thought about with its Nova-centric DLCs for StarCraft II.

It's worth noting the indelible mark that StarCraft has left on the esports landscape, with StarCraft: Brood War being a pivotal to the emergence of modern esports. Recognizing this legacy, Blizzard's presence at BlizzCon saw Phil Spencer paying homage to StarCraft's contribution to the evolution of games as live entertainment. While the company's shift away from RTS might dishearten some, the possibility of StarCraft's return, in whatever form it takes, is a compelling one for the series' ardent followers.

The broader context of Blizzard's newfound direction is its integration into the Microsoft family. Ybarra indicates that a lot of the decision-making within the company should become swifter under Microsoft's ownership, the future holds a ton of promise for dormant franchises like StarCraft. The supportive stance from Microsoft, a sentiment shared by Warcraft General Manager John Hight, could herald a renaissance for Blizzard's beloved IPs.

While the details surrounding the next iteration of StarCraft remain speculative, the allure of the series' revival, and a potential venture backed by Microsoft's resources, sets the stage for an exciting chapter in Blizzard's storied history.

The real-time strategy genre is enjoying a renaissance of its own sans its still-living progenitor, with the return of Sins of a Solar Empire and Homeworld, and former Blizzard developers forging their own path with new titles like Stormgate. It isn't the worst time to release a new RTS, but if Blizzard believes that there's a future for StaCraft in other genres, would it be the worst thing to explore such venues?