A Decade of Growth and Continued Vision

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Owlcat Games has reached a significant milestone. In a recent interview, studio co-founder and creative director Alexander Mishulin reflected on the company's journey and its future. Despite the studio's massive growth to a workforce of approximately 600 employees, the core identity of Owlcat remains rooted in complex role-playing games.

Addressing the balance between traditional CRPGs and newer action-oriented projects, Mishulin stated: «We will continue to make CRPGs because we love them. We do not want to become stagnant. We will be trying different approaches for our RPG games, trying to find the best possible fit for the idea of the game.»


Balancing Tradition with Innovation

Owlcat is known for its signature style, which often involves players managing a state-level organization or acting as a monarch. However, the studio is now branching out. While projects like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn represent a shift toward a more action-focused, Mass Effect-style experience, the studio is not abandoning its roots.

This commitment is evident in the development of Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy. This title builds upon the established CRPG engine and ruleset of Rogue Trader, much like the transition seen between the Pathfinder titles. Notably, Dark Heresy will deviate from the classic ruler-fantasy formula, opting instead for a deep, investigative, and highly reactive metagame.


Joining the Ranks of RPG Heavyweights

The recent expansion to 600 employees marks Owlcat's entry into the major league of RPG developers. To put this scale into perspective:

  • Larian Studios: Previously reported having over 500 staff members.
  • CD Projekt Red: Boasts a global workforce of over 1,100, with roughly 600 based in its primary Warsaw hub.
  • Obsidian Entertainment: Currently operates with a team of around 200 following industry-wide adjustments.

With its headquarters now in Paphos, Cyprus, and a headcount that rivals established industry titans, Owlcat is well-positioned to pursue a dual-track strategy. This structure allows the studio to cater to both traditional CRPG enthusiasts and fans of new, experimental action-RPG formats, reminiscent of BioWare’s prolific era when it managed series like Dragon Age and Mass Effect simultaneously.