David Vonderhaar Departs Treyarch to Head BulletFarm, a New AAA Studio within NetEase

David Vonderhaar, a veteran from Treyarch, leaves the Call of Duty: Black Ops series after 18 years to lead BulletFarm, a new AAA studio within NetEase. Vonderhaar is excited about the creative independence and freedom offered by NetEase, and plans to create a co-operative first-person game that is different from Call of Duty.

David Vonderhaar Departs Treyarch to Lead BulletFarm, a New AAA Studio within NetEase

David Vonderhaar, a veteran from Treyarch, has recently announced his departure from the studio behind the Call of Duty: Black Ops series after 18 years. However, instead of retiring and traveling around the country in his RV, Vonderhaar found himself heading BulletFarm, a new AAA studio within NetEase.

Vonderhaar explained that he was drawn to NetEase because of the creative independence and freedom it offered. He was impressed by the support and resources provided by the NetEase ecosystem, which allowed him to set up his own studio and make the game he wanted to make. This was a stark contrast to his experience working on big games in major franchises, where the size and popularity of the projects often made the development process complicated.

BulletFarm, which is the ninth Western studio formed by NetEase since the start of 2022, is currently working on its debut game. Vonderhaar expressed his excitement about working on something different and being able to apply the lessons he learned from his years at Treyarch in a new way. He emphasized the importance of creating a game that is different from Call of Duty in its entirety, rather than just making small changes within a similar framework.

BulletFarm’s First Game: A Co-operative First-Person Title Set in an Original World

The details of BulletFarm’s first game are still under wraps, but Vonderhaar revealed that it will be a co-operative first-person title set in an original world. He described the game as more nuanced, personal, and innovative than a typical first-person shooter focused on killing a lot of people. The studio plans to spend the next year prototyping the game, with a clear vision in mind but cautious about sharing specifics too early.

Studio Growth: Following the Five, Fifteen, and Fifty Rule

In terms of studio growth, Vonderhaar mentioned following the “five, fifteen, and fifty rule.” This means starting with a core team of around five people, growing to fifteen for prototyping, and eventually scaling up to fifty or more for full development. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a smaller, more personal studio where he knows everyone’s names.

Embracing Innovation: The Importance of Trying Something New

While the past year has been challenging for the games industry, Vonderhaar remains undeterred by the risks involved in starting a new AAA studio. He believes that the pressure should be on those who are not trying to innovate, rather than on those who are attempting something new. He sees the consolidation of big IPs as an opportunity for new voices and ideas to break through the noise and create something different.

Overall, Vonderhaar is excited about the opportunity to work on BulletFarm and believes that despite the challenges, it is important to try and innovate in the industry. He sees those who take the risk as the real heroes and believes that even if not everyone succeeds, the effort to create something new is worth it.