Relic Entertainment Unveils Bold New Strategy for Gaming Future

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Summary

  • Relic’s CEO explains that the studio will focus on smaller titles, classic revivals, and new franchises after splitting from Sega.
  • Future plans include developing games within 1-2 years while working with smaller budgets.
  • The new strategy won’t result in layoffs, as it will help Relic better meet business needs.

The leader of Relic Entertainment has outlined their fresh approach since parting ways with Sega, revealing a concentration on developing smaller games and revisiting classic titles. Furthermore, the CEO clarified how this new strategy could influence the staff at Relic Entertainment in light of the layoffs that occurred last year.

Relic Entertainment boasts a distinguished history in game development, with popular franchises like Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes series under its belt. Despite bringing these cherished games to life, the studio has faced challenges due to ownership changes. Relic was first acquired by THQ in 2004, but when THQ went bankrupt, it led to Relic being bought by Sega. Later, in 2024, Sega sold Relic to Emona Capital LLP, a UK-based investment firm, eventually leading to Relic’s decision to become an independent studio once more. Recently, the CEO of Relic has shared insights into what enthusiasts can anticipate from the studio in the future.

After parting ways with Sega, as planned by the CEO Justin Dowdeswell, Relic Studios intends to operate independently. In a press statement, he shared their future plans, emphasizing that they will carry on supporting and expanding their popular games such as Company of Heroes 3, through updates and new content. Yet, he also highlighted the studio’s dedication towards creating and distributing smaller-scale projects, developed in-house. This implies that Relic will work with leaner teams and reduce development time to launch games with a more modest budget within approximately 1-2 years.

Relic Entertainment Promises to Develop Brand-New Franchises

Dowdeswell further added that this move isn’t just about creating fresh franchises, but also re-introducing games like Age of Empires 4, remasters, and more. He clarified that Relic’s future projects will strive to preserve the essence of its legendary games while adding a modern twist to attract younger audiences. Dowdeswell underscored the significance of this move for the studio and assured fans that the team is dedicated to crafting “memorable gaming experiences.” He pledged upcoming innovative and top-tier games designed to engage various types of players, promising an exciting new chapter for Relic Entertainment. “The future of Relic Entertainment gleams with promise, and we are thrilled to embark on this new adventure,” the CEO declared.

After its split from Sega, Relic Entertainment has experienced layoffs impacting employees. When queried about how the studio’s new strategy would affect the workforce, the CEO told Game Developer that this refocused approach wouldn’t result in job losses. Instead, it would enable the team to meet business requirements more effectively, implying that Relic is now in a stronger position.

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2025-02-12 16:11