Witchfire Director Highlights Small Team Success and Clair Obscur’s Brilliance
Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of The Astronauts studio, has been pivotal in the game’s development since its inception. Witchfire is a dark fantasy role-playing shooter that officially entered Early Access in 2024. It has garnered significant attention and sales, already selling over 500,000 copies.
Witchfire’s Development Timeline
Chmielarz began working on Witchfire in 2017, with the initial concept dating back to 2015. The game evolved from a science-fiction survival simulator to its current dark fantasy theme. By the time of its expected 1.0 release, the game will have been in development for nearly nine years.
Success Metrics
- Over 500,000 copies sold in Early Access
- More than 1.6 million wishlists created
The Power of a Small Team
Witchfire is primarily developed by a compact team of 26 to 27 members. Initially, the team was much smaller, comprising only 12 people during most of the development. This small team structure has allowed for efficient growth and development, leveraging a high level of talent and passion.
Expertise and Passion Over Size
Chmielarz believes that the success of Witchfire stems from the team’s collective skills and shared ethos. He emphasizes that while experience is valuable, talent and passion are crucial for fostering a collaborative and open creative environment.
Innovation Through Technology
The development team utilizes industry-standard tools, notably employing photogrammetry techniques to enhance visual quality. This technology allows them to transform real-life objects into game-ready assets. While they opted to develop Witchfire using Unreal Engine 4, future projects may transition to Unreal Engine 5.
Unique Game Mechanics
Witchfire features various gameplay elements, including RPG mechanics and extraction shooter components. Chmielarz expresses concern that labeling the game solely as an extraction shooter might misrepresent its multifaceted nature. He describes it as a hybrid of souls-like, Metroidvania, and rogue-like elements.
Learning from Clair Obscur
The team draws inspiration from the development successes of Clair Obscur. Chmielarz notes that even studios with less experienced teams can deliver AAA-quality games through innovative design and strategic decisions. This approach emphasizes finding efficient shortcuts rather than relying solely on team size.
Conclusion
Witchfire’s development exemplifies the potential for small teams to achieve great success within the gaming industry. With a dedicated team, cutting-edge technology, and a focus on player experience, The Astronauts aims to deliver an engaging dark fantasy shooter that stands out in a crowded market.
