Wolfeye Studios, the indie game development team led by former Arkane Studios veterans, has unveiled the first details about its upcoming project—an unnamed first-person action RPG set in a retro sci-fi universe. The studio, founded by Raphael Colantonio in 2019, is opening signups for a private alpha, giving eager fans a chance to participate in the early testing phase of this highly anticipated game.

The Legacy of Wolfeye Studios

Founded by Raphael Colantonio, the creative mind behind Arkane Studios titles such as Dishonored, Prey, and Arx Fatalis, Wolfeye Studios was established with the vision of pursuing greater creative freedom and exploring innovative ideas outside the constraints of AAA game development. The studio’s debut game, Weird West, released in March 2022, was a critically acclaimed isometric RPG that blended immersive sim elements with a unique dark fantasy western setting.

With their next project, Wolfeye is returning to first-person gameplay, a genre that Colantonio and his team have mastered in their previous work. This new game, described as a first-person sci-fi ARPG, promises to bring together the studio’s expertise in crafting immersive worlds with the engaging gameplay mechanics that have become their hallmark.

What We Know About the New First-Person ARPG

During the 2024 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, Wolfeye Studios hinted at their new project with a subtle teaser—a whiteboard in their Austin office marked with the words “first person” and “retro sci-fi.” Now, five months later, the studio has confirmed that this cryptic message was indeed a preview of their next game, which has just entered active development after wrapping up its pre-production phase.

Wolfeye has shared a few tantalizing details and concept renders from the project. These images depict a retro-futuristic world, with scenes featuring a brownish canyon landscape and various pieces of old-school sci-fi machinery, including a workshop robot and a formidable drone. While the studio remains tight-lipped about the full scope of the game, the renders suggest a richly detailed environment that blends nostalgia with futuristic design.

Alpha Signups and Future Development

Wolfeye Studios is now inviting fans to sign up for the game’s private alpha via their official website. While specific details about the alpha test are sparse, the studio has indicated that participation will be limited, with the test expected to occur sometime in 2025. This initiative is part of Wolfeye’s broader strategy to involve fans early in the development process, a practice they began with Weird West, which also had a closed beta before its launch.

The studio is currently searching for the right publishing partner for this new title, as confirmed by Colantonio in a prepared statement. He emphasized that the alpha test reflects Wolfeye’s commitment to engaging with its community and gathering feedback that will shape the game’s development. Colantonio also mentioned that fans of his previous work at Arkane Studios, as well as RPG enthusiasts in general, will find themselves at home with this new project.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

While much about Wolfeye’s new first-person ARPG remains under wraps, the studio’s track record and the early glimpses of the game are enough to generate excitement. If the development timeline follows a similar path to Weird West, the game could potentially be ready for release by 2027. Although no platforms have been officially announced, it is expected that the game will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, mirroring the multi-platform strategy of their previous title.

Final Thoughts

Wolfeye Studios’ new first-person sci-fi ARPG is shaping up to be a highly anticipated addition to the gaming landscape, especially for fans of immersive, narrative-driven experiences. With alpha signups now open and development in full swing, gamers have much to look forward to as this project evolves. As Wolfeye continues to build on its legacy of innovation and creative freedom, this upcoming title could very well become a standout in the ARPG genre.

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