Ex-Ubisoft Barcelona employees have formed Dark Ritual Studios, an independent developer that prioritizes "craftsmanship over scale"

Following the launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in June, Ubisoft reduced its workforce by 51 employees at its Barcelona office. Subsequently, former employees, led by Myles Kerwin, collaborated to form Dark Ritual Studios.

Myles Kerwin shared with GamesIndustry.biz that his tenure at large companies like Ubisoft highlighted the challenges of maintaining agility. Founding a smaller studio allows for rapid transition from idea generation to execution.

Kerwin stated, "Our experience at Ubisoft Barcelona confirmed a long-held belief that smaller teams can craft exceptional games. The complexity of AAA game development often leads to multiple layers of coordination, which hinders creative choices."

He continued, "At Dark Ritual Studios, we embrace a compact, skilled team with defined creative ownership, allowing for quicker decisions and a focus on quality rather than size."

Located in Barcelona, Dark Ritual Studios has obtained the necessary funding to complete its inaugural game, a dark fantasy title named Puzzle Mage, slated for release on PC in 2027.

The game has gained traction on Steam, achieving over 1,000 wishlists, which Kerwin sees as a promising early indicator that the game concept appeals to the audience.

A figure kneels within a stone chamber, hands outstretched over a glowing, circular magical sigil etched onto the floor. Wisps of golden energy emanate from the figure's hands and surround them, while shimmering particles float in the mystical atmosphere. — Image credit: Dark Ritual Studios

Currently, the studio is not pursuing additional investment but is considering whether self-publishing or collaborating with a publisher is the best course for the future, as Kerwin explained.

Kerwin illustrated the complexities of the decision due to ongoing uncertainties in the gaming sector, acknowledging the lack of straightforward solutions.

"This is an issue every studio faces today," Kerwin noted. "We aim to maintain a lean team, keep our project ambitions feasible, and manage budgets prudently. This approach allows us more flexibility and lessens the burden of extensive projects.

"Despite challenges in the industry, numerous independent studios have successfully established sustainable operations by delivering well-made games with distinct identities. That's the path we aspire to follow."

Kerwin is confident that the studio and its upcoming game will distinguish themselves by developing genuine, player-driven titles.

"Feedback from initial playtests has been highly positive, especially regarding the spell-casting system, which players frequently commend," he remarked. "Our objective is not to follow trends but to create a game we are passionate about."