Chance of the calendar or carefully chosen moment, it is the day followingannouncements regarding the revival of Cyberpunk 2077 that we learn the birth of Rebel Wolves. If the famous RPG is mentioned to talk regarding this event, it is because the newly created studio was created by former CD Projekt. It would therefore seem that this new player in the video game was born following the setbacks of the controversial role-playing game.
Towards new adventures
We knew that the development had left traces within the teams. The endless crunch or the decisions taken despite common sense had, in fact, forced some employees to leave their posts. This was the case of Konrad Tomaszkiewicz whose 17 years spent in the famous Polish studio allowed him, among other things, to be director on The Witcher 3 and production manager Cyberpunk 2077. Just that.
Thanks to his experience and the misadventures encountered, we find him today at the head of a brand new studio. And we can tell he’s not a lone wolf ’cause other safe bets have followed in this adventure:
- Jakub Szamalek narrative director;
- Daniel Sadowski, design director;
- Tamara Zawada, animation director;
- Bartlomiej Gawel, artistic director;
- Michal Boryka, administrative and financial director;
- Robert Murzynowski, chef du studio;
All these people participated in the development of the games already mentioned, but also Thronebreaker Where Shadow Warrior 2 and are determined to do things differently. It is in any case their intention according to what Tomaszkiewicz confided during an interview granted to GamesIndustry.
We are proud of what we have accomplished in the past, but we are hungry for more. We want to experiment, to push the limits, to discover new ways of telling stories in the field of video games. We felt that creating a new society, in which we are masters of everything, would give us the freedom to take all the risks to satisfy our ambitions.
When the question of his former employer is raised, the new business manager is careful not to make any derogatory comments. This is how he explains that the goal of Rebel Wolves is to create new universes rather than exploit existing licenses. Nevertheless, he does not fail to define the state of mind in which he makes it a point of honor to work with his fellow adventurers.
Thus, the team is at the center of everything and is not intended to have hundreds of developers. The focus will be on providing experienced developers with a place to let their creativity flow. That sets the scene.
What vision of the future?
While a first game is already in preparation, we learn that it is a Atmospheric RPG qualified as “dark fantasy”. Even if very little information is revealed, the intentions are described.
We want to recreate the feeling of a paper role-playing session, when our possibilities seem endless, when the environment reacts to your actions, when every decision counts.
Although we should be in the presence of a AAA title, Tomaszkiewicz seems confident despite the modest number of collaborators, just over a dozen, who make up his studio. He prefers to talk regarding talent, ambition and experience.
We can’t beat the big guns when it comes to size or recognition, but we offer something just as appealing: an environment where developers can dream big, follow their dreams, and feel that the work they do accomplish is theirs. Of course, we still have a number of challenges to overcome, but we are confident that, thanks to the team of talented veterans we have already assembled, nothing will stop us.
Aiming despite everything to reach 80 members in a few years, the aim is to attract competent people from a variety of backgrounds.
As we recruit new developers, we want to ensure that we create a diverse company with as many voices and points of view as that entails.
And if you were wondering if Rebel Wolves would give in to the sirens of the metaverse or other NFTs, the answer is crystal clear:
It’s very simple. We won’t have any of that in our games. Never.
All that remains is to wait in order to be able to get their hands on their first creation. But, the most important thing for us, is that all these professionals will be able to fulfill their dreams in the way they want, without pressure, but with desire and a smile on their face.
Welcome, and have a good trip!
