Why Is There No StarCraft MMO?
The burning question on the minds of many StarCraft fans has always been: why isn’t there a StarCraft MMO? Given the rich lore, diverse races, and expansive universe, it seems like a natural fit. The short answer is that a StarCraft MMO would be an incredibly challenging and risky undertaking. There are multiple intertwined factors preventing its existence, primarily the high development cost, the shadow of World of Warcraft’s success, and Blizzard’s shifting strategic priorities.
The Immense Shadow of World of Warcraft
One of the most cited reasons for the absence of a StarCraft MMO is the towering success of World of Warcraft (WoW). WoW wasn’t just successful; it became a cultural phenomenon that defined the MMORPG genre for years. Any new MMO from Blizzard would be instantly compared to WoW, a bar set astronomically high. Developing an MMO on the scale required to match or surpass WoW in both scope and polish is an incredibly expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Blizzard knew that creating a StarCraft MMO would be competing directly against the legacy of their own creation, and the risk of a new game not meeting expectations was substantial. The shadow of WoW’s success has loomed large over all Blizzard’s decisions regarding the development of a new MMO.
The Immense Cost of MMO Development
Building an MMO is a massive undertaking, far more complex than creating an RTS or even a single-player RPG. It demands years of development, involving hundreds of skilled professionals across various disciplines: designers, artists, programmers, writers, and more. The sheer volume of assets—from detailed environments to intricate character models—is immense. Moreover, the infrastructure required to support a live, persistent world with thousands of concurrent players is equally demanding and costly.
Furthermore, MMOs aren’t a “set it and forget it” kind of game. They require ongoing content updates, regular bug fixes, and extensive community management. The costs continue to accumulate long after the initial launch. Given these high hurdles, Blizzard likely weighed the potential return on investment for a StarCraft MMO and determined the risk was too high. They may have concluded that their resources were better allocated to projects with less financial risk and more predictable outcomes.
Strategic Shifts at Blizzard
Blizzard Entertainment has also undergone significant strategic shifts over the years. While the company is historically known for its RTS games, its focus has visibly shifted to other genres. The company has experienced considerable success with games like Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Diablo, suggesting that the resources and attention were being increasingly directed toward genres other than RTS. The closure of StarCraft II’s development team demonstrates a move away from the RTS genre, which further reduced the likelihood of a StarCraft MMO.
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has also impacted project prioritization. Decisions are now being made through a more complex organizational structure, which can influence the types of games that get greenlit. Given the success of WoW and the more recent success of Diablo, an MMORPG from a different universe might be more attractive for development at present than a StarCraft one.
The Difficulty of Translating the RTS Experience
Translating the strategic, top-down gameplay of StarCraft into a third-person or first-person MMO environment also presents a major design challenge. The core appeal of StarCraft lies in its fast-paced macro and micro-management, which are very different from the exploration, questing, and character progression found in most MMOs. It would be difficult to retain the essence of the StarCraft experience while creating a compelling and accessible MMO. The question would always be: How to make a compelling experience that still maintains the feeling of Starcraft?
While the StarCraft universe provides a strong foundation for lore and storytelling, successfully adapting its gameplay to an MMO framework remains a difficult creative and technical challenge. Finding a unique niche that is different from WoW while still feeling true to the StarCraft franchise would not be an easy task.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is StarCraft 3 confirmed?
While various industry insiders have hinted at a possible StarCraft 3 release, there has been no official confirmation from Blizzard. These rumors should be taken with a grain of salt until Blizzard makes an official announcement.
Is StarCraft 3 reportedly in development?
According to journalist Jez Corden, StarCraft 3 is reportedly in development at Blizzard. However, official details remain scarce, and Blizzard has not confirmed the existence of the project.
When did StarCraft 2 go free-to-play?
StarCraft II became free-to-play in November 2017, with the complete Wings of Liberty campaign available for free.
Is StarCraft 2 completely free now?
Yes, StarCraft II is free-to-play, including the Wings of Liberty campaign. Additional single-player, co-op, and cosmetic content are available for purchase.
Why did StarCraft 2 become free-to-play?
StarCraft II became free-to-play to make the game accessible to new players, especially those interested in its competitive scene. By removing the barrier of entry, Blizzard hoped to attract new competitors to the esport.
Is original StarCraft still free?
Yes, the original StarCraft and its Brood War expansion are free to download from Blizzard’s website. No DVD or activation code is required.
Is StarCraft 2 banned in China?
All Blizzard games, except for Diablo Immortal, had their services suspended in China on January 23, 2023, due to a licensing disagreement between Blizzard and NetEase.
Is anyone still playing StarCraft 2?
Despite being released in 2010, StarCraft II maintains a regular tournament scene and an active player base with relatively low queue times.
What is the most played race in StarCraft 2?
According to data from local servers, Zerg is the most frequently selected race in StarCraft II, followed by Protoss.
Why are RTS games unpopular?
One of the common criticisms for the declining popularity of RTS games is that AI has not advanced enough to provide a satisfying experience, and lack of major innovation.
Is StarCraft just Warhammer?
The StarCraft world is inspired by Warhammer 40,000, but there are several key differences. For example, Warhammer 40,000 has several prominent villains but less clear-cut heroes.
Do people still play StarCraft?
Yes, people still play both the original StarCraft and StarCraft II. While the player base is smaller, players can still match online.
Is the StarCraft story over?
The main StarCraft storyline concluded with the final mission in the Protoss epilogue, that wrapped up the main arc of the series.
Will StarCraft: Ghost come back?
The StarCraft: Ghost first-person shooter was canceled, and there are no indications that Blizzard plans to revive it. Fans will have to settle for the Blizzard-themed Nova Overwatch skin for now.
Was StarCraft going to be a 40k game?
Starcraft was never “supposed” to be a Warhammer 40,000 game. Both franchises drew inspiration from the same source material but evolved independently.
Is StarCraft 2 harder than chess?
StarCraft II is considered a more complex game than chess. The sheer number of variables and actions makes it far more challenging, although both games present complex strategic challenges.