The Blood of Dawnwalker is child of „artistic freedom.” CD Projekt RED veterans see „huge space for innovation and for evolution in the open-world RPGs”

by

Yesterday evening, Polish studio Rebel Wolves, comprised of many former CD Projekt RED team members, introduced their debut game to the world – The Blood of Dawnwalker. While our previous article provides some fundamental information about the game, there’s much more that was shared during the complete developers’ stream. Hereafter, we delve deeper into aspects concerning both the game and the studio itself.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-56228

Freedom above all

During a recent broadcast, the creator of The Witcher 3 shared the reasons behind starting a fresh venture, following his departure from CD Projekt RED in 2021 due to harassment allegations.

I established Rebel Wolves as a company because I saw an immense opportunity for creativity and advancement in the realm of open-world RPGs. To truly pioneer and grow, it’s essential to have autonomy and creative liberty, which often requires taking bold and daring steps. The most effective way to do this is by launching your own business and making your own decisions.

He likened his newest game to Fallout 2, mainly highlighting the open-endedness characteristic of this post-apocalyptic game from Black Isle Studios. Just like Fallout 2, there wasn’t a clear main quest guiding us towards particular locations and actions, and you can expect the same degree of freedom in The Blood of Dawnwalker.

In this game, we avoid labeling quests as “main” or “side.” Instead, we simply refer to them as quests. The players are free to shape their own gaming journey, and each experience will be unique since no two will ever be the same. We like to call it a narrative sandbox.

Realistic world

The game’s story unfolds in 14th-century Europe, specifically in a location named Vale Sangora. While not limited to Central European influences, these elements were certainly a significant part of the design process for the game’s settings. Players can expect to see architectural styles reminiscent of Poland, Ukraine, and the Balkans, as well as clothing inspired by these regions. Additionally, the developers placed a strong emphasis on realism to create an authentic experience for players as they delve into this immersive world.

I aimed to make the experience as immersive as possible, ensuring players feel integral to the storyline. However, it’s important to note that this game isn’t intended to replicate medieval living accurately.

In The Blood of Dawnwalker, the magic I encounter isn’t your typical flashy stuff. Instead, it feels more like experiencing genuine paranormal occurrences, deviating from the conventional spells we often see in games.

Vampires and mechanics

Additionally, we uncovered further details regarding these intriguing creatures known as vampires. Though they once stepped into the limelight, overthrowing tyrannical feudal lords and offering aid in a mysterious manner by donating their blood, they are not as simple as they may appear at first glance. On one side, they exhibit benevolent behavior; however, they can be equally malicious, such as orchestrating gruesome rituals within churches where they prey on humans. Therefore, rather than being purely good or evil, they exist in a more complex shade of gray.

The primary character, Brencis – the self-proclaimed messiah among vampires – has been unveiled as a dynamic adversary. His role involves shaping the game’s narrative through decrees that act as challenges we must overcome.

A captivating feature is the “bloodlust” aspect, making us experience the life of a genuine vampire within the game. The protagonist must consume sustenance frequently to use abilities, and failure to feed regularly may lead to loss of control during an interaction with NPCs, potentially resulting in them being unintentionally devoured. If it’s a random villager we accidentally eat, it’s unfortunate; but if it’s a friend or even worse, our best friend, it could have dire consequences.

The Dawnwalker’s Blood is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. As of now, a release date has not been announced, but further information about the game will be disclosed in the summer of 2025 when fresh gameplay footage is unveiled.

Read More

2025-01-14 15:03