Owlcat Games, the studio renowned for its contributions to the computer role-playing game (CRPG) genre, has announced a substantial expansion, growing its workforce to approximately 600 employees. This significant increase in personnel allows the developer to simultaneously work on two ambitious RPG projects. Alexander Mishulin, co-founder and creative director at Owlcat, stated in a recent interview that the studio will continue its focus on hardcore CRPGs, a genre it is passionate about.
"We will continue to make CRPGs because we love them," Mishulin told PCGamesN. "We do not want to become stagnant. We will be trying different approaches for our RPG games, trying to find the best possible fit for the idea of the game." This commitment ensures that Owlcat's core fanbase will continue to receive the deep, narrative-driven experiences they have come to expect.
The studio's upcoming slate includes The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a title that marks a significant departure from Owlcat's established design sensibilities. This new project is described as being similar in scope and structure to BioWare's Mass Effect series, suggesting a shift towards a more action-oriented RPG experience with a strong emphasis on narrative and character.
Alongside this ambitious new venture, Owlcat is also developing Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. This project builds upon the studio's existing CRPG engine and the ruleset established in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. While still a CRPG, Darktide is set to introduce a unique detective and investigation metagame, moving away from the ruler-centric fantasy and light 4X elements found in previous Owlcat titles such as Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous.
Owlcat's growth to 600 employees places it among larger RPG development studios. For comparison, Larian Studios, known for Baldur's Gate 3, had over 500 employees at its last reported count. Obsidian Entertainment, another prominent RPG developer, has around 200 employees. This substantial workforce suggests Owlcat has the capacity to manage multiple large-scale projects concurrently, potentially allowing them to cater to both their dedicated CRPG audience and players seeking different RPG experiences, a strategy that mirrors BioWare's success during the original Mass Effect and Dragon Age eras.