3. StarCraft (Open-World Shooter)
Dan Hay: 28 years ago, I saw a very specific Blizzard cinematic, and it changed the course of my life.I saw the danger and the mystery, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. So I sent my first demo reel and resume off to Blizzard Entertainment right here. Not just because I wanted a job, but because I wanted to be part of something.
I wanted to be part of this, community, the building of these worlds, a part of this thing that we all love. Blizzard wasn’t just a company to me. It was the dream. So I sent off the letter, and I waited. I waited for days. I waited for weeks. And then one day, I got a letter back. I remember the weight of it in my hands. I remember opening it. I remember the font. I remember the blue logo at the top of the page. And I saw those first words, and I read it: “Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to.” And I knew, that was it. It wasn’t going to happen.
But that’s the funny thing about dreams. Dreams don’t die. Dreams don’t fade. Dreams are patient. Dreams wait. So I waited. And for the next 25 years, I made very cool games. I worked with incredible people. I built things I’m truly proud of. But in the back of my mind, always, there was this one thought: “One day, Blizzard. One day.”
And then, a few years ago, my phone rang and I looked down and I saw the name Blizzard Entertainment. And bang, I was right back there, 25 years disappeared. I was right back there in that moment, holding that unopened letter and feeling that same feeling, that same moment. And so I answered the phone and this time there was an opportunity. This time there was a mission to assemble a team worthy of carrying the legacy of one of Blizzard’s most beloved games. And that team is here today.
Team, meet the world. World, meet the team. A team built with one purpose. A team built with one goal. To return to a universe forged in interstellar war.
This is something new. An open world shooter where every step is earned, not from above, down on the ground, in the mud, in the fire, honoring the past, its tone, its truth, but with an opportunity to push beyond it. We are here standing shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to reignite this universe alongside each and every one of you. We are here to make StarCraft!
And let’s be honest. It’s about damn time.
| BLIZZCON 2026 OPENING CEREMONY TRANSCRIPT | ||||
| Intro | Heroes of the Storm | Netflix Diablo | StarCraft (Shooter) | Overwatch |
| Diablo IV Season 13 | ||||
