NetEase has partnered with industry veteran Greg Street to form a new studio, Fantastic Pixel Castle. The newly formed studio hit the ground running with the announcement of its inaugural project, an MMO codenamed Ghost, set in a new fantasy universe.
The formation of Fantastic Pixel Castle marks a significant stride for NetEase in its pursuit of original content creation to diversify its gaming portfolio. This new venture is particularly notable as it brings together some of the best creatives in the MMO space, including veterans who have shaped titles like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, and Guild Wars 2.
Greg Street, the studio head and a distinguished figure in the gaming world, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Known in the World of Warcraft community as Ghostcrawler, Street’s tenure at Blizzard as a lead systems designer saw the game reach unprecedented heights. His foray into Riot Games further solidified his prowess in the online gaming sphere, especially with his contributions to the League of Legends MMO.
Fantastic Pixel Castle sets itself apart with its remote-first approach, a strategy that allows for the assemblage of an elite team of developers from across the globe. The studio’s commitment to maintaining a compact team size is a deliberate choice to ensure agility in design iteration and a close-knit working environment. This philosophy aligns with Street’s vision of fostering open communication and ongoing dialogue with the player community.
The partnership with NetEase is pivotal, as it affords the studio the creative freedom, resources, and backing necessary to transform its ambitious vision into reality. Simon Zhu, president of global investments and partnerships at NetEase, expressed his confidence in the collaboration, highlighting the shared commitment to bringing this original fantasy IP to fruition.
Greg Street’s new brainchild, Ghost, already has fans excited, thanks to a new announcement trailer and a collection of concept art. While still in the early stages of development, Ghost promises to be a AAA MMO that ventures into uncharted territory in the fantasy realm.
Street’s approach to Ghost is one of transparency and community involvement, an ethos that stands in stark contrast to the traditional secretive nature of game development. An introductory livestream is slated to offer insights into the studio’s philosophy, though gameplay details remain under wraps for the time being.
The choice of the codename Ghost carries an intriguing resonance, harking back to the early 2000s when Blizzard was developing StarCraft: Ghost, a project that ultimately never saw the light of day. While there is no direct connection, the choice is a subtle nod to the rich heritage of the MMO genre and its enduring legacy.
As Fantastic Pixel Castle embarks on this ambitious journey, the studio’s remote-first, community-engaged model is a testament to the evolving landscape of game development.
With a seasoned development team at the helm and the robust support of NetEase, Ghost marks a new chapter in the MMO saga. But, while the official reveal is a cause for celebration, it remains to be seen if the actual game itself will be worth celebrating about.
Speaking of MMOs, one of the most popular games on the market, Final Fantasy 14, is headed to the Xbox next year.
