The Epic Transformation StarCraft Deserves: Taking a Cue from Diablo

In recent years, Blizzard has shown significant dedication to the Diablo franchise. Following the release of Diablo 3 in 2012, fans had to make do with DLC packs, anxiously waiting for a new mainline Diablo game to hit the shelves. However, this all changed in 2021 with the arrival of three major Diablo releases. The abundance of exciting ARPG content has made it an incredibly exhilarating time for fans of the franchise. Surely, such enthusiasm and attention should also be directed towards the StarCraft series, another major IP from Blizzard.

Despite its importance, the StarCraft franchise has seen little activity from the studio since the release of StarCraft Remastered in 2017. While it still holds a prominent position on Battle.net and makes appearances at Blizzcon events, there have been no updates on any new projects. While hopes may be held high for an announcement at Blizzcon 2023, there is also the possibility of another year of disappointment. It is unclear why Blizzard has not capitalized on this iconic sci-fi series, but it is about time they delivered something remarkable.

StarCraft Deserves More Attention

Blizzard's fourth major title, StarCraft, emerged as a massive success, following the triumphs of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness, and the initial Diablo. Praised by critics as one of the finest real-time strategy (RTS) games ever made, the game captivated players with its compelling storyline, challenging gameplay, and flawless execution. This triumph fortified Blizzard's reputation and signaled the seemingly unbeatable nature of the franchise.

Expanding on the triumph of the original game, Blizzard released a remarkable expansion pack named StarCraft: Brood War. Additionally, the studio developed two other add-ons that expanded the StarCraft universe in captivating new ways. Even the Nintendo 64 enjoyed the arrival of these titles, with StarCraft 64 aptly titled for the platform. The studio appeared to be on a path of limitless exploration within this thrilling sci-fi universe. However, contrary to expectations, Blizzard shifted its focus onto its other franchises, diverting attention away from StarCraft.

The sequel to the original game was released 12 years after its initial launch. StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty greatly improved upon its predecessor and was widely acclaimed as one of the top RTS games. It became the fastest-selling RTS of its time, but strangely, Blizzard did not make many updates to it for several years. The first expansion was released three years later, followed by another two years for the second expansion. In 2016, a smaller DLC pack was released, but eventually, Blizzard officially moved on a couple of years later.

Despite the massive presence of StarCraft 2 in eSports and the release of StarCraft: Remastered in 2017, Blizzard has not done much with the IP. It seems to be stagnant, with no noteworthy news announced during Blizzcon. Considering the success of the first two games, it would seem like a no-brainer to create a third installment, but so far, the studio has shown little interest. Although there have been various development projects, they were all abruptly cancelled. The RTS genre as a whole seems to be largely ignored by major AAA studios, and that needs to change.

Given Diablo's ability to release three major titles within three years, there is no reason StarCraft cannot achieve the same success. StarCraft 3 should be the immediate priority, followed by several spin-offs. Blizzard still has immense potential for the franchise, making this an opportune moment to capitalize on it. With the studio's ongoing efforts to regain their disgruntled fan base and overcome controversy, revisiting this iconic real-time strategy series would be a remarkable strategy.

StarCraft 2 is currently accessible on PC.