Dragon Age Veteran David Gaider Wants to Make an Airship Heist RPG, But Funding is the Real Boss Fight
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Dragon Age writer David Gaider has pitched a new light-hearted airship heist RPG for Summerfall Studios, but the team is struggling to secure funding amidst widespread industry conservatism.
Summerfall Studios co-founder and veteran writer David Gaider is hoping to steer his team toward a lighter, more adventurous project after the release of Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical and the deckbuilder Malys. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, Gaider outlined plans for a brand new heist RPG where players control a crew of rogues aboard an airship. While the concept leans into a more comedic and upbeat tone than his previous heavy fantasy epics, the studio is currently facing the harsh reality of the modern games industry when it comes to securing financial backing.
The core issue is not a lack of interest in the concept itself, but rather the risk averse nature of publishers right now. Gaider noted that the ongoing industry contraction has left investors clinging exclusively to safe bets, established intellectual properties, and guaranteed sequels. Original independent projects are finding it increasingly difficult to secure funding before reaching advanced stages of development. Publishers are essentially waiting for studios to finish the heavy lifting on their own dime before stepping in, which puts immense pressure on smaller teams that are just trying to keep the lights on.
Despite the uphill battle, the creative vision for the airship project has resonated well with those who have seen it so far. Gaider remains pragmatic about the future of Summerfall Studios while acknowledging the brutal job market senior developers face if independent outfits cannot weather the current financial storm. Players who enjoy rich narrative experiences and tactical crew dynamics will definitely want to keep an eye on this one, as fresh ideas from industry veterans are precisely what keep the gaming landscape vibrant outside of the usual blockbuster sequel cycle. You can read the original reporting over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: RPG, Indie Games, Dragon Age, Industry News, Summerfall Studios
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun