The highly anticipated new game, The Blood of Dawnwalker, has officially launched, marking a significant milestone for its developer, Rebel Wolves. Founded by former CD Projekt Red veterans, including The Witcher 3 co-director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the studio has ventured into creating a brand-new intellectual property (IP) in a challenging market. Tomaszkiewicz recently shared his thoughts on the intense period leading up to the game’s release, the unique pressures of launching a new IP, and the team’s creative process.
Navigating Launch Day Jitters
Speaking just days before the game’s release, Tomaszkiewicz described a complex mix of emotions. “There is a lot of opposite feelings,” he admitted. “On the one hand, I’m really excited, because we will show to the world our first game and our creation which is quite unique and quite… different than the games out there, with a lot of cool but also risky ideas.” This excitement is tempered by the inherent stress of putting a new creation before the public. “And on the other hand I’m really stressed, at how people will react and how they like what we’re doing. Because this is like you show your baby to the world for the first time and you are really curious what will be the reaction. It’s an amazing feeling, but there’s constant stress until we will know how people like it.”
Despite the palpable tension, Tomaszkiewicz noted a sense of calm within the studio, a feeling that was almost unsettling given his past experiences. “This is the first release I feel this way, that it’s really calm,” he explained. While the development team is actively managing post-launch fixes and improvements, many are currently on holiday. This period of relative quiet, contrasted with the usual intensity of past launches, leaves Tomaszkiewicz in a state of watchful anticipation. “It feels really weird. Like, you’re waiting for what will explode tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. But hopefully everything will be great.”
The Challenges of New Intellectual Property
Launching a new IP is a considerable undertaking in the modern gaming industry, where publishers often favor sequels or established franchises due to their perceived lower risk. The current market is particularly crowded, with many major releases vying for attention, further complicated by the impending arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6. Rebel Wolves’ decision to forge a new path with The Blood of Dawnwalker represents a significant gamble.
Tomaszkiewicz acknowledged the inherent difficulty but embraced the challenge. “It is difficult, but I like challenges and I think that if you have the proper challenge it gives you the proper motivation to do more,” he stated. He elaborated on the creative freedom that comes with building something entirely new. “When you’re creating something totally new, you give this fresh feeling for the players, because it’s something totally new you experienced.” This freedom allows the team to define their own world and narrative without the constraints of pre-existing lore. “Everything is possible and we just created our own frames and or our own conditions, which will define this world and will make it possible to tell every crazy story we want to tell in this world. And this freedom gives us a lot of space to create and it was, in my opinion, a really good choice.”
Leveraging Past Experience for Innovation
The foundation of Rebel Wolves is built upon the extensive experience of its former CD Projekt Red members. This background provides a unique advantage when venturing into uncharted territory. “For us, after all of this experience we have from the past, it’s easier to create a new IP,” Tomaszkiewicz explained. He emphasized that the team’s focus was on evolving the role-playing game (RPG) genre, particularly narrative-driven experiences.
“I started thinking about the RPG games, especially storytelling RPG games, because I love those. And I thought, with the rest of the team, how we want to evolve it, what we can add and how we can make this genre different and better,” he said. The game incorporates unique gameplay mechanics, including a time-manipulation system and distinct combat elements, designed to offer a fresh experience for RPG enthusiasts. The positive reception from early previews, particularly regarding the combat and time mechanics, served as crucial validation for the team’s creative decisions.
The Role of Player and Press Feedback
Tomaszkiewicz highlighted the importance of external feedback, especially from media previews, in validating the team’s direction. “When you will get the feedback you can iterate smaller things and adjust the game to the needs of people.” He noted that while major foundational changes are not feasible late in development, smaller adjustments based on feedback can significantly enhance the player experience. The positive reactions to the game’s combat and narrative-influencing time mechanics during previews provided the team with confidence and motivation.
“For us it was the first big test, which I believe we passed,” Tomaszkiewicz remarked. “And, as I said, it gave us, the whole team, huge motivation, because we share with the team the reaction of the media and the YouTubers and the influencers.” This shared positive reinforcement fuels the team’s drive to deliver the best possible product.
Looking Towards the Future
While the immediate focus is on the successful launch and post-release support for The Blood of Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves is already contemplating the future of the franchise. “What I can say is that we already start to work on the future of the franchise, let’s say,” Tomaszkiewicz revealed.
The team’s primary objective remains delivering the best possible experience to players. Tomaszkiewicz expressed a personal hope for strong sales that would enable the creation of a sequel, allowing the adventure to continue. However, his core motivation stems from the player experience rather than financial targets. “When I’m working on the game, I’m not thinking about the money. I’m thinking about how people will experience it.” The upcoming player reactions, stream viewership, and comments will provide invaluable insights for future projects. “It will tell us a lot of if we went in a good direction. It also gives us the feedback which we will use for the next creations.”
Tomaszkiewicz concluded with a sentiment of gratitude and passion for game development. “It’s great to be able to create and deliver these kind of things to the people.” The launch of The Blood of Dawnwalker represents not just a new game, but a testament to the enduring passion and creative ambition within the games industry.
Game Details:
- Formats: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
- Price: £59.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Rebel Wolves
- Release Date: September 3, 2026
- Age Rating: 18
