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Game veteran Bill Roper has unveiled Lunacy Games as a new studio working on an open world survival RPG set in the post-apocalyptic American West.
In addition, Roper also announced that his company has acquired a license for the Hellgate: London franchise to develop a new Hellgate game. The deal is with Hanbitsoft, which owns the license, Roper disclosed in an interview with GamesBeat.
Seattle-based Lunacy Games, operating as a remote-first company, aims to redefine the gaming experience through its unique approach to cooperative gameplay and immersive storytelling. Roper, an award-winning game industry veteran known for his work on franchises like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Disney Infinity, leads the studio.
The studio’s first project is an ambitious survival RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Old West, emphasizing innovation and storytelling.
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“It feels like it’s been a long time in secretive hibernation. So I’m really happy to be able to start publicly talking about what we’re doing,” Roper said. “We’re announcing the Hellgate license on the 27th, which is my birthday. So I can’t think of a better birthday present than to dive back into those demon apocalyptic waters.”
Roper has not revealed other team members yet. While he is based in Los Angeles, other team members are scattered, with some in Seattle. He began sharing the vision more widely at last week’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
The Old West game marks the studio’s first project.
“The setting is the American Old West, but this is truly the Weird West,” Roper described. “I describe it as a game grounded in reality with the graphic fidelity of Red Dead Redemption 2, combined with the exploration and environmental storytelling of Skyrim, as well as survival elements and player freedom akin to Conan Exiles. In gamer terms, it’s Cowboys vs. Cthulhu, with the ability to transform into a werewolf.”
“We are living in crazy times, and crazy times call for crazy ideas,” said Roper. “With Lunacy Games, we are not just building games; we are building communities. Our focus is on crafting deep, meaningful worlds that resonate with players worldwide.”
Bootstrapping
Despite being an accomplished game developer, Roper faced challenges in recent years. Working at AuthorDigital in Seattle, he sought to explore Web3 and blockchain games amidst the pandemic, but funding issues and company shifts led him to pursue his own studio.
Starting around GDC 2023, Roper bootstrapped Lunacy Games with the goal of creating a demo to attract investors. He emphasized the importance of building a strong team and a compelling demo amid a tougher fundraising environment in the game industry.
Driven by a vision to create immersive experiences and foster a positive work environment, Lunacy Games prioritizes transparency, respect, and innovation.
Good for game developers
Lunacy Games aims to create a supportive environment that empowers developers and players, fostering creativity and innovation while upholding values of transparency and respect.
With a commitment to building meaningful worlds and nurturing communities, Roper envisions a future where game companies prioritize employee well-being and create engaging, immersive gaming experiences.
The Old West
The Old West game, initially a PC title, might expand to consoles, leveraging the rich experience PCs offer. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game promises a fresh take on traditional genres with immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay elements.
“Our goal is to challenge players’ expectations and deliver a unique gaming experience that keeps them engaged,” Roper remarked.
“Our mission is to create a truly unique gaming experience that merges the best elements of various genres into one captivating world,” Roper stated.
The game integrates elements from Red Dead Redemption 2 and Skyrim, offering a blend of graphical fidelity, exploration, and storytelling. Roper envisions a game rich in lore and player interaction, set in a challenging survival environment with cooperative gameplay.
Hellgate: London’s Legacy
