Nexon and Blizzard Rumored to Collaborate on StarCraft and Overwatch Mobile Projects
According to new rumors by Korean website MTN, a major player in South Korea’s video game scene, joins forces with Blizzard Entertainment. This partnership is set to breathe new life into one of gaming’s most legendary franchises and bring a fresh title to mobile screens. If this comes to life, it will blend Nexon’s knack for massive online games with Blizzard’s iconic intellectual properties.
The collaboration comes after a heated competition among South Korea’s top game developers. Companies like NCSoft and Netmarble threw their hats in the ring, each eager to work with Blizzard’s beloved universes. Nexon emerged victorious, earning the chance to dive into a project that’s got gamers buzzing with anticipation. This marks Blizzard’s first major partnership with a Korean studio, a move that highlights the growing influence of South Korea’s gaming industry.
At the heart of this deal is the StarCraft franchise, a real-time strategy series that’s been a cultural juggernaut since its debut in 1998. Known for its gripping sci-fi story and competitive gameplay, ‘StarCraft’ became a cornerstone of esports, especially in South Korea, where it’s still celebrated today. According to rumor, Nexon now has the green light to develop new content using this iconic IP, with no limits on genre or format. Whether it’s a classic RTS, a mobile spin-off, or something entirely new, the possibilities are wide open.
Nexon’s also poised to handle distribution for ‘Overwatch Mobile’ in South Korea and Japan. This upcoming title, built from the ground up for smartphones, shifts gears from the hero-shooter roots of ‘Overwatch’ and ‘Overwatch 2’. Instead, it’s a MOBA, drawing inspiration from games like ‘League of Legends’. Some developers have even dubbed it ‘Overwatch 3’ internally, hinting at its ambitious scope. Blizzard’s decision to focus on these two markets reflects the massive mobile gaming audiences in South Korea and Japan.
The road to this partnership wasn’t easy. Last year, Blizzard opened bidding to Korean studios, offering a package deal that included ‘StarCraft’ content creation and regional distribution rights for ‘Overwatch Mobile’. The catch? The mobile game’s rights were limited to South Korea and Japan, which didn’t sit well with some companies hoping for global control. Meanwhile, crafting a ‘StarCraft’ game that lives up to its legacy is no small feat. A new RTS would need to outshine ‘StarCraft 2’, while other genres risk diluting the IP’s core appeal.
I’m excited to see where Nexon takes this. Their track record with games like ‘MapleStory’ and ‘Blue Archive’ shows they can handle diverse genres and massive player bases. Still, the pressure’s on to deliver something that honors ‘StarCraft’s’ storied history while appealing to today’s gamers. NCSoft and Netmarble put up a strong fight, with Netmarble even holding internal contests to brainstorm ‘StarCraft’ ideas. Nexon’s winning pitch remains under wraps, but it clearly impressed Blizzard.