Nexon and a StarCraft shooter: the leak resurfaces, but how credible is it?

Fabian Lainé September 4, 2026 at 12:40 PM

In brief

Nexon is reportedly still negotiating a license to develop a StarCraft shooter, according to a Korean leak resurfacing this week. Meanwhile, Blizzard is said to be working internally on its own open-world shooter, with suspicious hints appearing on the StarCraft website. Two separate projects, mixed credibility, but enough signals for September's BlizzCon to become a pivotal moment.

Nexon would reportedly still be negotiating a license to develop a StarCraft shooter. That's at least what a Korean article published this week claims, reviving a rumor that's been floating around for several months about a partnership between the South Korean giant and Blizzard.

According to this leak, Nexon would be actively seeking the rights to build a shooter spin-off set in the StarCraft universe. The project would reportedly remain separate from a possible internal Blizzard game, teased since 2024 through a job listing mentioning an "upcoming open-world shooter," led by Dan Hay, former executive producer of Far Cry. It's impossible for now to know whether the two leads overlap, or whether these are two completely separate projects.

A source to take with a grain of salt

The leak comes from the South Korean daily Chosun, picked up by Wccftech, which republishes information already mentioned earlier this year without ever having been confirmed by Blizzard. The publisher had declined to comment at the time. No denial, no confirmation: total ambiguity.

Chosun is a general-interest newspaper, not a video game specialized outlet with a track record of verified scoops in the industry. Its article doesn't cite a named internal source at Nexon or Blizzard, which limits the scope of the information. Still, the rumor's repetition over several months, coupled with the timing of BlizzCon's return on September 12, lends weight to the hypothesis without confirming it. IGN has reached out to Blizzard to clarify this rumored partnership. No response so far.

Do you believe a real StarCraft shooter is on the way?

Frequently asked questions

Why is this rumor resurfacing now?

The Korean newspaper Chosun is reaffirming information that circulated earlier in the year. The timing coincides with BlizzCon's return on September 12 and suspicious visual hints on the StarCraft website, sparking renewed media interest.

Are there two StarCraft shooters in development?

Possibly, but unconfirmed. Nexon is negotiating a license for a spin-off according to the leak, while Blizzard is developing a title internally led by Dan Hay. For now, it's impossible to know if they're connected or completely separate.

How credible is this information?

Moderate. Chosun is a mainstream daily newspaper, not a specialized gaming outlet with a track record of verified scoops. No named internal sources, no confirmation from Blizzard or Nexon. Blizzard has previously declined to comment.

What's the glitch on the StarCraft website?

Visual elements, images, and text blocks are randomly flickering on the official page, which could indicate a teaser for an announcement. However, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this occurred or confirm it's an actual teaser.

When will we finally know the truth?

BlizzCon on September 12 is the best candidate for a major announcement. An unusual one-hour slot is noted in the first day's schedule, suggesting an important presentation beyond current franchises.

Key takeaways

Nexon is actively seeking rights to a StarCraft shooter spin-off, according to Chosun, a Korean mainstream outlet with no track record of verified scoops in the sector.
Blizzard would be developing its own open-world shooter led by Dan Hay, the former Far Cry producer, based on a 2024 job posting.
Visual glitches on the official StarCraft website suggest a possible teaser, but it's impossible to confirm whether it concerns Nexon, Blizzard, or both.
The leak lacks named internal sources, which reduces its credibility before any official announcement.
BlizzCon on September 12 represents the ideal moment for Blizzard to reveal something, with an unusual one-hour slot in the schedule.

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