OwlCat Games, known for isometric CRPGs like Pathfinder and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, is taking a major genre departure with its upcoming project, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. As the Cyprus-based studio celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 6, creative director Alexander Mishulin outlined how the studio is shifting gears from traditional tabletop-inspired isometric design toward a cinematic, BioWare-style action RPG.
Quick Facts
- Developer: OwlCat Games
- New Project: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
- Genre Shift: Action RPG, cover shooter, and cinematic storytelling (compared to BioWare's style)
- Studio Milestone: Celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 6
Building The Expanse: Osiris Reborn From Scratch
Transitioning from grid-based isometric adventures to an action RPG required OwlCat to build entirely new production pipelines. Mishulin noted that the team had to learn several unfamiliar elements from scratch, including a new game engine, cover shooter mechanics, and an internal cinematics department to support the more cinematic writing style.
Despite the change in gameplay mechanics, Mishulin emphasized that the title retains core studio values. The focus remains heavily on companions integrated directly into gameplay, alongside a narrative driven by choices and consequences.
Future Plans for OwlCat's CRPGs
Players concerned that the studio might abandon its roots entirely can rest easy. Mishulin confirmed that the team intends to keep making CRPGs because they love the genre, stating that the studio simply wants to experiment with different approaches to find the best possible fit for each new game idea as the developer grows past 600 members.