Hidden Horses has opened—a studio founded by veterans of id Software, in which all employees hold shares
This summer, id Software was significantly affected by layoffs as part of the XBOX restructuring. A few months later, 20 former employees of the company announced the launch of a new studio called Hidden Horses.
According to the founders of Hidden Horses, their studio is characterized by an unconventional approach to business — all team members have become co-owners of Hidden Horses, and they have agreed to make management decisions "democratically." They believe this approach will enable them to be more effective.
"We've created a studio where developers share in its success and see it as more than just another job. I believe that when people have a personal stake in a project's success, they are more dedicated to it," explained Hidden Horses' executive producer, Andrew Willis.
Hidden Horses is set to develop old-school shooters. Its debut game will be Danger Pay — a single-player arena shooter with a first-person perspective, where gamers will participate in a bloody television show.
The studio plans to fund the creation of Danger Pay through a Kickstarter campaign, though it is not yet known how much they will need to raise.