Former team members from Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog have come together to establish Near Studios

Former developers from Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog have teamed up to create a new company called Near Studios, based in the United States.

The studio is headed by Heather Cerlan, who serves as CEO and creative director. She was previously the lead 3D artist at Skydance New Media and has held senior art positions at Archetype Entertainment under Wizards of the Coast, Bethesda Game Studios, Naughty Dog, and EA.

Jason Richardson, joining as co-founder and game director, was formerly the lead designer at Funcom and has experience as a systems and gameplay designer at companies like Bethesda and BioWare.

The team also includes Bruce Nesmith, Skyrim's lead designer, who will contribute his expertise in sandbox systems to their first project, Hawthorn. Early feedback describes the game as combining elements of a "Skyrim sandbox" with "a Stardew Valley village simulation."

Richardson noted, "Hawthorn revolves around a vibrant village of NPCs and cooperative friends, with activities like crafting and adventuring. We aim to capture the nostalgic thrill of shared experiences, reminiscent of timeless narratives and simple joys that resonate across ages."