Blackbird Interactive may be the external studio working with Blizzard on its unannounced real-time strategy efforts, according to a new report from Windows Central executive editor Jez Corden. Corden says he has heard rumors that Blackbird, which previously worked with Blizzard on Warcraft I: Remastered and Warcraft II: Remastered, could once again be involved with the company’s classic RTS projects. Blizzard and Blackbird Interactive have not announced a new collaboration.
The report provides a possible identity for the Western RTS studio recently linked to a new Blizzard strategy project. Corden had previously said Blizzard was working with an external developer experienced in real-time strategy and with a history of partnering with Microsoft, but he did not identify the company at the time. Blackbird now fits both parts of that description through its long RTS history and previous work on projects including Minecraft Legends and Blizzard’s Warcraft remasters.
Blackbird’s involvement with Warcraft is already established. The Vancouver-based studio describes itself as the principal developer of the full Warcraft I and Warcraft II remasters, handling upgraded visuals, user interface work, gameplay modernization and networking improvements alongside Blizzard. Blackbird also says it continued supporting the games after launch through a dedicated live-operations team, giving it an existing technical and working relationship with Blizzard’s RTS catalogue.
Corden also connected the Blackbird rumor to ongoing speculation surrounding a project referred to as Warcraft Chronicles. That title has surfaced previously alongside other unconfirmed Blizzard project information, but Blizzard has never announced a game by that name. Corden suggested possibilities ranging from further Warcraft III content to additional work involving the original Warcraft games, though he presented those ideas as speculation rather than details he had independently confirmed.
That distinction is important because the Blackbird rumor does not establish exactly what the studio may be developing. It could be assisting with a new game, another modernization project, expansions or continued support for existing Warcraft strategy titles. There is also no indication yet of the project’s scope, release window or whether Blackbird would act as lead developer or co-development partner.
Blackbird has significant experience in the strategy genre beyond Warcraft. Its portfolio includes Homeworld 3, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak and Minecraft Legends, while the studio is also currently involved with Company of Heroes: Definitive Edition. At the same time, Blackbird has broadened its co-development business considerably, supporting games across several genres and franchises rather than operating solely as an RTS developer.
The studio is also working on other unannounced projects. Recent hiring information showed that Blackbird is developing an unannounced sci-fi action game in Unreal Engine 5, demonstrating that any Blizzard partnership would likely exist alongside other internal and external projects. Blackbird’s own website currently lists more than 200 employees and emphasizes co-development, remastering, porting and live-operations work as major parts of its business.
The renewed RTS speculation arrives only days before BlizzCon 2026, which takes place September 12 and 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Blizzard has confirmed that its Opening Ceremony and major panels will be livestreamed, while its current programming includes World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm content. The timing naturally raises expectations for announcements, although Blizzard has given no indication that a new Warcraft RTS will be unveiled at the event.
Blizzard’s strategy franchises are already drawing additional attention ahead of the show. The StarCraft website recently began displaying unusual ARG-style messages, while another report claims Blizzard’s unannounced StarCraft shooter includes a single-player story campaign. Those projects are separate from the rumored Blackbird collaboration, and there is currently no evidence that Blackbird is involved with the shooter.
For now, the strongest new detail is simply the developer name. Corden says Blackbird Interactive may once again be working with Blizzard on its classic RTS efforts, building on an existing partnership that produced the Warcraft I and II remasters. Whether that work relates to Warcraft Chronicles, another Warcraft project or something else entirely remains unconfirmed ahead of BlizzCon.
