Blizzard is hiring for an ‘open-world shooter’ utilizing Unreal Engine, which is extra proof {that a} new Starcraft sport might be on its method

In accordance with a current job itemizing, Blizzard is cooking up a brand new sport in an engine and a style that none of its releases have used earlier than. The studio is in search of a “Lead Designer, Innovation” to run growth on a “AAA open-world shooter” with out a title.

Proper now, each Blizzard sport besides Hearthstone (made with Unity) have been made with in-house engines, however this unnamed shooter will possible use Unreal Engine. The itemizing says the lead designer will want expertise working with the favored engine for prototyping options.

On prime of that, the job additionally requires “15 years {of professional} expertise in sport design or a associated self-discipline”, which tells me Blizzard desires somebody who’s most likely carried out this type of work earlier than, presumably much more than as soon as. Given the quantity of layoffs the studio endured in the previous few years, I might think about there are many former Blizzard veterans on the market who would match the invoice.

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On Bluesky, Blizzard sport designer Jeff Hamilton says the “pretty distinctive design function” might be a part of his staff, however his submit sadly gives no clues on what the mission even is—and neither does his LinkedIn web page. My greatest guess is the brand new Starcraft third-person shooter talked about in Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier’s 2024 ebook Play Good: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Leisure.

Schreier’s reporting stated Blizzard was “incubating” the mission beneath the helm of former Far Cry producer Dan Hay. The ebook would not point out a style or perhaps a timeframe for when it could be correctly introduced, however Blizzard is internet hosting a BlizzCon in September that might be the place it will present up. Home windows Central reporter Jez Corden corroborated Schreier’s reporting through his personal sources in January, too.

Now earlier than you get too excited, let’s do not forget that Blizzard additionally spent six years on a survival sport solely to cancel it after a large spherical of layoffs in 2024. It is doable this sport—very like the notorious Starcraft: Ghost shooter that by no means was—may not see the sunshine of day, particularly when the videogame trade layoffs have not actually slowed down.

Nonetheless, the time is ripe for Starcraft to return again. The final sport within the collection was launched 11 years in the past (until you rely the Nova Covert Ops marketing campaign that got here out 10 years in the past). An open-world shooter is a giant leap from an RTS, however I think about Starcraft followers will take something at this level.