Blizzard’s new RPG-FPS game revealed through job listings and LinkedIn clues – what we know
The Smoking Gun Evidence
Recent discoveries point to Blizzard Entertainment secretly developing a major new RPG-FPS hybrid title, with compelling evidence emerging from both official job postings and an accidental executive profile disclosure.
The investigation began when vigilant X user bogorad222 uncovered crucial information on August 30 from the LinkedIn profile of Overwatch 2’s Senior Director of Product Management, Chris McCabe. His professional background initially listed involvement with an “unannounced AAA RPG-FPS title” before being hastily revised to the more ambiguous “Unannounced AAA Title.”
This revelation aligns perfectly with multiple Blizzard career postings discovered earlier this year. As Dexerto reported in May, the company actively recruited developers for a player-versus-environment experience featuring “multi-season story arcs” – a structure suggesting long-term narrative planning beyond typical shooter campaigns.
One particularly telling combat designer position description emphasized creating “interesting, memorable, and challenging monsters” progressing from “initial threats all the way to legendary boss encounters players will talk about for decades.” This language indicates ambitions to craft iconic gaming moments reminiscent of Blizzard’s most beloved boss battles.
Unannounced AAA RPG-FPS Title from Blizzard pic.twitter.com/akpe22k0FC
Industry analysts note this project appears distinct from both the canceled survival game that Blizzard shelved earlier and the reported AA mobile titles based on existing intellectual properties. The RPG-FPS classification suggests a hybrid approach possibly combining deep character progression systems with first-person combat mechanics.
Overwatch Connections and Possibilities
The connection to Overwatch 2’s leadership has sparked intense speculation within the gaming community about potential ties to the popular franchise, especially given recent developments in Blizzard’s PvE strategy.
Many Overwatch enthusiasts hope this signals development of a standalone player-versus-environment game, particularly following the disappointing cancellation of Overwatch 2’s promised story content due to underwhelming sales projections. The involvement of McCabe, who oversees Overwatch 2’s product direction, fuels theories about franchise expansion.
Community reactions reflect this optimism, with one fan expressing: “Part of me thinks this is the actual Overwatch 2, or at least a new IP with those same ideas.” Another observer noted on Reddit: “So those Overwatch PvE rumors only grow more and more,” indicating widespread anticipation for Blizzard to deliver on previously promised narrative experiences.
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Gaming industry experts suggest Blizzard may be learning from past missteps by developing PvE content as a separate product rather than integrating it into the live service model that complicated Overwatch 2’s development. This approach could allow for more ambitious storytelling and gameplay systems without compromising competitive balance.
StarCraft Universe Theories
Compelling alternative theories suggest Blizzard’s new project might resurrect the StarCraft universe in FPS form, especially given Microsoft’s expressed interest in expanding Blizzard’s iconic franchises following their acquisition of Activision-Blizzard.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer previously voiced enthusiasm about bringing StarCraft to Xbox platforms during the acquisition process. In a 2022 Wired interview, Spencer specifically mentioned: “Not only StarCraft, but WarCraft, when you think about the heritage of RTS games that we’re talking about here, specifically from Blizzard. And I don’t have any concrete plans today because I can’t really get in and work with the teams.”
This executive interest combined with the RPG-FPS description has fans imagining a dramatic genre shift for StarCraft, potentially transforming the real-time strategy franchise into a narrative-driven first-person experience. The “multi-season story arcs” mentioned in job listings could perfectly suit the rich lore of the Koprulu Sector.
Game design analysts note that an RPG-FPS set in the StarCraft universe could draw inspiration from successful genre hybrids like Destiny or Borderlines while leveraging Blizzard’s world-building expertise. The combination of Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss factions offers natural material for diverse character classes, enemy types, and progression systems.
The timing aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of revitalizing acquired IPs across multiple genres and platforms. A StarCraft FPS could serve as both a franchise refresher and a system-seller for Xbox, appealing to both existing RTS fans and new audiences.
Industry Context and Implications
Blizzard’s potential entry into the RPG-FPS space represents a significant strategic shift that could reshape the competitive landscape for narrative-driven shooters and position the company for next-generation gaming experiences.
The studio appears to be learning from both its successes and failures, potentially applying lessons from Overwatch’s character-driven approach and Diablo’s progression systems while avoiding the development pitfalls that plagued earlier projects. The emphasis on “legendary boss encounters” suggests confidence in creating memorable set-piece moments.
Market analysts observe that Blizzard may be targeting the underserved premium narrative FPS market, currently dominated by franchises like Destiny 2 and Borderlands. The company’s reputation for polished gameplay and strong art direction could give it a competitive advantage in this space.
We’ll have to wait for official confirmation from Blizzard about their mysterious project, but for dedicated fans of both Overwatch and StarCraft, the evidence suggests exciting developments ahead. The combination of RPG depth with FPS action from a studio of Blizzard’s caliber could deliver the next great shared-world gaming experience.
Industry insiders suggest we might see an official announcement within the next 6-12 months, potentially at major gaming events like The Game Awards or next year’s BlizzCon, where the company traditionally reveals new projects to its most dedicated fans.
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