It’s been a bleak year for the games industry so far, with projects being canceled and…Still, there are some bright spots in the darkness, thanks to a few unexpected hits, e.g. friend world and Hellraiser 2, while there are still some studios open. One of them is BulletFarm, a fledgling NetEase studio led by a former Call of Duty multiplayer designer.
Studio head David Vonderhaar will draw on his work on call of Duty Black Ops His latest project in the series, a co-op game set in the original universe. The studio’s goal is to provide “a new experience in first-person gaming.” Vonderhaar describes the project as “different from any game I’ve ever made, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling and tons of action.”
BulletFarm is currently recruiting staff for the project, and although it’s based in Los Angeles, it’s a remote-first studio. That could make BulletFarm an enticing prospect for game developers who have lost their jobs over the past few months and may not be able to move to Southern California.
It is said that the game industry will start laying off employees in early 2023, so there are many talented people looking for jobs. A new studio won’t solve the huge labor problem, but it’s a step in a positive direction.
