“Development has become so expensive that studios are rethinking their footprint and I think we may see more development activity expand beyond traditional hubs such as the US and China toward countries that offer strong talent at a better cost. On top of that, AI will keep changing the economics of production, and competition will only get tougher. The studios that win will be the ones that stay creatively distinctive while keeping a tight grip on costs,” says Ilya Karpinskiy, Co-founder of Owlcat Games.
In interview with GOLD magazine, he discusses the company’s game development strategy strategy, key industry trends and Owlcat’s distinctive creative identity.
Founded in Cyprus in 2016, Owlcat Games has grown into an international studio employing more than 450 people across Cyprus and Armenia. Its portfolio includes successful, story-driven titles such as Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, the latter earning Best RPG of 2021 accolades from leading US gaming outlets Kotaku and Shacknews.
How would you describe your company’s core business model and game development strategy?
We focus exclusively on AAA game development. Our focus is clear: we want to be the number one in our genres – CRPG and Action RPG. Everything we do serves that. We build deep, story-rich worlds for players who want real substance and a reason to keep coming back, and we ship across PC and console for a global audience. We’ve done it with Pathfinder and Warhammer 40,000, and we’re not interested in chasing whatever happens to be trending. Our whole identity is making unique games that only we would make – and doing it a little better each time.
What are the key factors currently influencing your company’s operations and strategic decision-making?
Three things really drive our decisions right now. First, talent. Finding and growing great people is the single biggest factor in this business and always has been. Second, access to capital, especially when we’re building new teams. AAA projects take years and serious investment before they pay off. Third, AI. We’re working out how it fits into our pipelines and how it’s reshaping the industry around us. Get those three right and you can plan with confidence. Get them wrong and not much else matters.
What do you consider to be the most significant recent industry trends and growth drivers? Which of these do you expect to shape the sector over the coming years?
We make unique products, and our slate is already mapped out for the next four to five years, so our direction is set. Looking further ahead, the biggest shift I expect is in where games actually get made. Development has become so expensive that studios are rethinking their footprint and I think we may see more development activity expand beyond traditional hubs such as the US and China toward countries that offer strong talent at a better cost. On top of that, AI will keep changing the economics of production, and competition will only get tougher. The studios that win will be the ones that stay creatively distinctive while keeping a tight grip on costs.
This interview first appeared in the June edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
