Owlcat co-founder says the studio won’t turn its back on hardcore RPGs as it hits 600 employees and preps its own Mass Effect killer
Owlcat Games is reinforcing its commitment to hardcore computer RPGs as the studio celebrates its 10th anniversary and reaches 600 employees. In an interview with PCGamesN, co-founder and creative director Alexander Mishulin addressed concerns about a potential pivot toward mainstream action titles, reaffirming that Owlcat will remain dedicated to the CRPG genre.
“We will continue to make CRPGs because we love them,” Mishulin stated while emphasizing the studio’s desire to innovate. “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.”
The studio’s expansion to 600 employees reflects its success with titles like Pathfinder: Kingmaker, which cultivated a devoted hardcore fanbase. Owlcat has positioned itself as a major independent developer in the CRPG space, competing with larger studios for player attention.
The interview also hints at upcoming projects, including what industry observers describe as Owlcat’s space-opera ambitions—a science-fiction RPG reportedly comparable to BioWare’s Mass Effect series. This project would represent the studio’s attempt to expand its RPG portfolio beyond fantasy settings while maintaining the mechanical depth and player agency that characterizes its existing games.