[UPDATED] NEXON Reportedly Moves to Buy the StarCraft IP from Blizzard, as Xbox Must Weigh Cash over Legacy
![[UPDATED] NEXON Reportedly Moves to Buy the StarCraft IP from Blizzard, as Xbox Must Weigh Cash over Legacy](/api/imagekit?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.wccftech.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FStarcraft-NEXON-1920x1080.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
NEXON is reportedly in talks with Blizzard to acquire the StarCraft intellectual property or secure development rights for a new title. The move comes as Microsoft's Xbox division faces pressure to improve profitability for the Activision-Blizzard unit.
Why it matters
StarCraft is a foundational title in esports, particularly in South Korea, and its potential sale signals a shift in Microsoft's strategy for managing legacy gaming franchises.
[UPDATED] Chosun's story has been slightly revised and now suggests that NEXON could simply obtain a license to develop new mainline StarCraft games, rather than buying the IP outright.
[ORIGINAL STORY] Korea's Chosun, the largest-circulation newspaper in the country, reports a shocking story today : NEXON is allegedly attempting to purchase the entire StarCraft franchise from Blizzard .
It has been known, albeit unofficially, that NEXON is working on a new shooter game set in the StarCraft universe , to be unveiled in just a couple of weeks at BlizzCon 2026 . But that was under the assumption Blizzard was merely going to license it out for a special occasion, not sell the IP outright.
Chosun's source, a "senior industry member", reportedly told them:
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