If new reports are correct, Nexon could be the developer behind StarCraft 3.
Blizzard's StarCraft universe will soon be revived by the geography that's most dedicated to the game. Back in April, MTN reported that Korean publisher Nexon was chosen by Blizzard to make a new StarCraft game. A bunch of Korean game-makers wanted the StarCraft IP, and Blizzard held a kind of impromptu pitch session, which Nexon won.
Now sources close to the matter tell Chosun Daily that this deal is close to being finalized. Once things are ironed out, Nexon may have the rights to not only make a new StarCraft game, but an actual sequel: "Once this contract is completed, I understand that Nexon will hold the development rights related to a sequel to the existing StarCraft," the source told Chosun.
It's unclear what this means for the broader market; will Nexon create a mainline StarCraft sequel for the entire world, or just a more localized version for Korea? Also, does Nexon have exclusive worldwide publishing/development rights for StarCraft or is it isolated to Korea?
Teaming up with Nexon makes sense; Blizzard has worked with Nexon in the past to bring Overwatch to Korea, and the company is a monetization whiz that happens to be set in the heart of where StarCraft is most popular. The franchise has also been relatively dormant without any major new releases for the last 9 years (StarCraft Remastered was in 2017), and Microsoft is seeking returns on its $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King.
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Does the reported Nexon deal grant rights to develop a full StarCraft sequel (StarCraft 3)?
Has Blizzard previously partnered with Nexon on other games, and how might that history affect the StarCraft deal?
What part of the StarCraft IP rights would Nexon control according to the Chosun Daily report?
Could Blizzard announce the Nexon StarCraft project or sequel details at BlizzCon on September 12?
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Blizzard could make some sort of formal announcement or reveal at this year's BlizzCon, which kicks off September 12.
