The Hollywood disruptors making a large-scale game with a 12-person team – and no generative AI
You might recall the trailer for Join Us being featured in the Xbox Showcase back in June. It depicts a darkly comic co-op cult simulator, with robed cult members riding around on pigs and loosing off machine guns, before ending on an image of Cthulu-like giant tentacles. Not shown was the snake gun, says Joe Dietsch, CEO and creative director of Join Us developer Wolf Haus Games. Read more
Hollywood innovators are crafting a large-scale game with a mere 12-person team, without relying on generative AI. The project, known as Join Us, is a darkly comic co-op cult simulator featuring robed cultists riding pigs and firing machine guns, culminating in tentacle-like imagery. The game's unique snake gun was devised by a team member's son after suggesting the idea.
The team, Wolf Haus Games, aims to disrupt the industry by creating high-fidelity experiences with limited personnel. They have Hollywood roots, with co-founders Joe Dietsch and Michael Abbott having backgrounds in film, and COO Michael Abbott's father, Larry Abbott, being a renowned make-up artist. The team's unconventional approach led to a successful funding round from Krafton and Lifelike Capital.
Despite the challenging industry climate, the studio secured its seed round and is now creating Join Us with a small, tight-knit team focused on maintaining a creative atmosphere.
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