Blizzard surprises fans at BlizzCon 2026 by unveiling a new StarCraft shooter, its first non-RTS entry in nearly 20 years.
In an unexpected turn at BlizzCon 2026, Blizzard Entertainment announced a new direction for the StarCraft franchise with a shooter set for release in 2030. This marks the first new StarCraft game since “StarCraft 2” released over a decade ago and shifts the franchise from its traditional real-time strategy roots to a more action-oriented shooter perspective. Destructoid reported on the dramatic cinematic trailer that introduced the game, featuring human soldiers struggling against the iconic Zerg forces. This movement away from the RTS format to a “boots-on-the-ground” approach opens up new gameplay opportunities and potentially broadens the franchise’s audience.
Continuing with the BlizzCon highlights, Blizzard also announced a new character addition to “Heroes of the Storm.” For the first time in six years, players will be able to play as Xal’atath, a character linked to “World of Warcraft’s” ongoing storylines, in the game’s Public Test Realm starting September 14, with a full release planned for the end of the month according to GameSpot.
In other industry news, court documents obtained by Destructoid reveal that Rockstar Games might have been spying on a worker union’s Discord server for over two years. The allegations come following controversy over Rockstar’s dismissal of 34 employees from the UK on misconduct grounds last year. The employees have taken legal action against Rockstar, accusing the company of union-busting practices.
Meanwhile, a GamesHub survey highlights a growing trend of US gamers cancelling online service subscriptions for major consoles, such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. The primary reason cited is the rising cost of these essential game services, suggesting that companies may need to reconsider their pricing strategies to retain users.
Lastly, Nintendo is basking in the ongoing success of its Legend of Zelda-themed Switch 2 console, with potential to become one of the best-selling consoles of all time. GameRant reports on the company’s recent statement regarding the console’s availability and steady sales performance compared to the original Switch.
As for PlayStation Plus subscribers, September brings a variety of game offerings including “RuneScape: Dragonwilds” and “WWE 2K26” across PS4 and PS5, according to GamesHub.
