Bioshock Lead Developer Talks Going Indie With Wartorn

From Big Daddies to Indie Development: Bioshock Lead Developer Opens Up About Creating Wartorn

Stray Kite Studios, a new indie collective formed by seasoned developers from some of the industry's biggest franchises, has announced their debut game: Wartorn. This rogue-lite fantasy title is shaping up to be a unique blend of AAA talent applied to the indie scene, offering both distinct advantages and new challenges for the team.

Slated for release later this year, Wartorn marks the first major project from Stray Kite Studios, a development hub formed by veterans from games such as Bioshock, Borderlands, and Age of Empires. Paul Hellquist, the creative force behind Bioshock and now the Chief Creative Officer at Stray Kite, spoke with Game Rant about the transition from AAA development to a smaller indie team and how this shift is influencing the creation of Wartorn.

The Talent Behind Wartorn

Hellquist highlighted the wealth of experience within Stray Kite, particularly mentioning developers like Paul Slusser and Kyle King, who have worked on iconic titles such as Age of Empires 2 and Borderlands. Hellquist elaborated on how this diverse talent pool is shaping Wartorn, particularly its unique blend of strategic, squad-based gameplay set against an isometric view, distinguishing it from other rogue-like games on the market.

The AAA pedigree of the team is a significant asset to Wartorn. With many of the developers having worked on the Borderlands series, including Hellquist himself—who was a senior designer on the original Borderlands and creative director for Borderlands 2—it will be interesting to see how the team's experience with humor and over-the-top action influences a much darker, war-torn fantasy world in Wartorn. The contrast in tone between the two projects is sure to be one of the game's most intriguing aspects.

Indie Development: Challenges and Freedoms

Hellquist discussed the pros and cons of transitioning to an indie studio. While working with a smaller team on Wartorn offers creative freedom and flexibility that AAA titles can’t match, it also comes with inherent limitations. As he explained, the team at Stray Kite is much smaller than what they were used to in larger studios, forcing them to scale back some of their grand ambitions. Hellquist reflected, "We have huge grand ideas, and sometimes we have had to remind ourselves that our team is less than 10% the size of the teams we’ve worked on in the past."

Despite these challenges, Hellquist remains optimistic about the potential of the indie approach. He noted that Wartorn has benefited from a smaller, more agile team that allows for creative risks and innovative gameplay. The team is fully aware of the constraints, but they are embracing the opportunity to experiment and develop a game that reflects their passion and skill.

With a wealth of experience and a fresh approach to game development, Stray Kite Studios’ Wartorn looks to bring a new, dark fantasy experience to the indie gaming scene. Fans of the developers' past work will undoubtedly be curious to see how their talents shine in a more independent, stripped-back environment. The studio’s first venture into indie development may just set a new standard for what’s possible with smaller teams and big ideas.