WildStar development started in 2005, after 17 former members of Blizzard Entertainment founded Carbine Studios. At the time, the seventeen former members of Blizzard Entertainment had a desire to "do anything but WoW","In fact, most were excited and overjoyed to try and start over, this time, not making the same mistakes that might have been made before." When confronted with the decision of a game engine, the company first looked at off-the-shelf options. Although multiple engines were available for use, the team found that none of them suited their needs, to be able to scale well five years into the future. Eventually, the team decided it would be best for them to create their own, allowing them complete freedom.
In 2007, NCSOFT acquired Carbine Studios, saying they were working on an unannounced MMO project.
WildStar was first announced by NCSOFT at Gamescom 2011 and that it would use the subscription model.
Two weeks later, more footage of the game was released at PAX Prime 2011.