Desperate to Revive RTS Glory, Blizzard Pitched Warcraft 4 and Call of Duty RTS

Desperate to Revive RTS Glory, Blizzard Pitched Warcraft 4 and Call of Duty RTS - Both Rejected

In the annals of gaming history, Blizzard Entertainment is renowned for its legendary real-time strategy (RTS) games like "Warcraft," "StarCraft," and "Warcraft III." However, recent revelations have shed light on the company's struggles to return to its RTS roots, with ambitious pitches for "Warcraft 4" and a "Call of Duty" RTS game both reportedly being shot down by higher-ups.

The Background

Blizzard has not released a new, original RTS game since "StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void" in 2015. The RTS genre, once a staple of Blizzard's identity, has seen a significant decline in mainstream popularity with the rise of MOBAs, battle royales, and live service games. Despite this, there's a passionate community still yearning for Blizzard's return to the genre that built its reputation.

The Pitches

Warcraft 4: The idea of "Warcraft 4" was not just a fan's dream but a real proposal within Blizzard. According to reports from Jason Schreier's book "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," Tim Morten, who was the production director on "StarCraft II," tried for years to kickstart this project. The pitch included a continuation of the rich lore from "Warcraft III," aiming to explore new narratives in the Azeroth universe while bringing back the strategic gameplay that fans adored.

Call of Duty RTS: In an even more unconventional move, Morten and his team also considered pitching an RTS game set in the "Call of Duty" universe. This was a desperate attempt to leverage the popularity of the "Call of Duty" franchise to fund and justify a new RTS. The idea was to blend the fast-paced, tactical gameplay of "Call of Duty" with the strategic depth of an RTS, though it remained a conceptual pitch without much detail on how exactly it would manifest.

The Rejection

Despite the enthusiasm from some developers at Blizzard, these pitches did not find favor with the company's executive team. Several factors contributed to this:

Market Trends: The RTS genre has lost much of its market share to other, more lucrative game types. Blizzard's leadership might have been hesitant to invest in a genre that isn't seen as a guaranteed financial success.
Resource Allocation: With ongoing projects like "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo IV," resources are stretched thin. Starting a new RTS would mean diverting teams and funds from these established franchises.
Past Failures: "Warcraft III: Reforged" was meant to reignite interest in the RTS genre but launched to widespread disappointment due to technical issues and missing promised features. This might have soured the appetite for another RTS venture.
Corporate Strategy: Since being acquired by Microsoft in a $69 billion deal, Blizzard might be aligning more closely with Microsoft's broader gaming strategy, which currently focuses less on niche genres like RTS.

Community Reaction

The news of these rejected pitches has sparked a mix of reactions among fans. There's a palpable sense of disappointment among RTS enthusiasts who see Blizzard's reluctance as a missed opportunity to reclaim its legacy in the genre. Conversely, some fans understand the business rationale behind not pursuing these projects, given the current gaming landscape.

The Future of Blizzard's RTS

While "Warcraft 4" and a "Call of Duty" RTS seem off the table for now, there's always the possibility of smaller, experimental projects or indie teams within Blizzard revisiting the genre. Microsoft's Game Pass could offer a platform for such projects, providing a lower-risk environment for new RTS ventures. Furthermore, the gaming community's nostalgia and love for well-crafted strategies might yet convince Blizzard to revisit its roots, perhaps in a different form or under different circumstances.

Conclusion

The saga of Blizzard's unmade RTS games is a poignant reminder of how even the most revered game developers must navigate the changing tides of the industry. While "Warcraft 4" and a "Call of Duty" RTS may have been shot down, the passion for the genre within Blizzard and among its fans suggests that this might not be the end of the story. As the industry evolves, maybe one day we'll see Blizzard return to the strategy battlegrounds where it once reigned supreme.