NetEase has announced its latest AAA studio, BulletFarm, with Call of Duty veteran David Vonderhaar at the helm. BulletFarm is a brand new game development company working on “building a world-class team.” Though the studio is based in Los Angeles, California, it is remote-first.
BulletFarm game will have an emphasis on co-op
It’s far too early for any kind of official game announcement, but BulletFarm offered some clues as to what it’s working on. Most notably is its “emphasis on co-operative gameplay.” Like Call of Duty, that could mean multiple game modes in co-op, multiplayer, and a campaign option, but only time will tell.
While it’s light on other details, we at least know this is a brand new IP with first-person perspective. The Vonderhaar-led studio says it is building an “ambitious AAA game, built in Unreal Engine 5 and set in an original universe…” The studio claims it seeks to “redefine what it means to make and play AAA action-adventure experiences.”
“Starting this new studio has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and try my hand at making something entirely new and different,” said Vonderhaar. “This is a departure from the games I’ve worked on, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling, and plenty of action, NetEase has provided us an incredible support structure to explore these new avenues and allow true freedom to begin building the concept and ideas for our game.”
Publisher NetEase Games behind the new studio
BulletFarm isn’t taking on the games industry completely on its own. The studio has support through publisher NetEase Games. The Chinese publishing company is responsible for titles like Naraka Bladepoint, The Lord of the Rings Rise to War, and Dead by Daylight Mobile.
David Vonderhaar is one of the most well-known names in the Call of Duty community. He was the lead designer on multiple titles, including Call of Duty 3, while working with Treyarch. Additionally, he designed the multiplayer for Black Ops 1, 2, and 3. After completing work on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War‘s multiplayer and Fireteam modes, Vonderhaar announced he was leaving Treyarch in 2023. He revealed he was working on an unannounced project at that time, but it took until now to get the rest of the details.
