Dreamhaven
Dreamhaven business and news from across the web.- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffsThis week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
- Wildgate ‘hasn’t found a large enough audience to sustain ongoing development,’ but it’s staying onlineMoonshot Games, led by Dustin Browder, has announced that heavy development on their multiplayer extraction RPG Wildgate is winding down due to a lack of a large enough audience. While the game will remain online and receive occasional bug fixes and balance updates, major content patches will cease. The game is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms.
- Extraction RPG Wildgate’s 1.5 update overhauls its co-op PvE modeMoonshot and Dreamhaven have released update 1.5 for their extraction game Wildgate, significantly overhauling the co-op PvE mode with five progressive zones that increase in difficulty. The update also aims to improve matchmaking and overall game feel based on community feedback. Wildgate is available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Epic Games Store, with a limited-time 75% discount on Steam.
- Perfect Ten: MMOs and other online projects created by ex-Blizzard devsThis article highlights ten notable projects created by former Blizzard Entertainment developers and leads, focusing on MMORPGs and other online games. It details various ventures, including Jeff Kaplan's 'The Legend of California,' Greg Street's 'Project Ghost,' and Ben Brode's successful 'Marvel Snap.'
"You've got to shut this down" - Jeff Kaplan recalls the "disaster" of Blizzard MMO Titan's developmentFormer Blizzard designer Jeff Kaplan described the cancelled MMO Titan as a "disaster" born from hubris following World of Warcraft's success. The ambitious project, intended to feature a dual-world structure with secret agent and business simulation elements, suffered from a lack of cohesion and clear direction, ultimately costing Blizzard an estimated $83 million before its cancellation in 2013. Kaplan admitted leadership, including his own, was ultimately responsible for the failure, with elements of Titan later influencing Overwatch.- Betawatch: Shadowstone kicks off playtesting, EVE Frontier plods onwardThis week's Betawatch covers numerous games entering playtesting phases, including Secret Door's Shadowstone and Dreamhaven's Sunderfolk. EVE Frontier continues development with new features, while Swordeye, Scars of Honor, and MapleStory Classic World are also highlighted for upcoming tests. The article also provides a comprehensive list of games currently in open or closed testing, differentiating between the two and noting those that appear to be malingering.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAGMicrosoft has revealed that developer kits for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will not be released until 2027, featuring custom AMD chips with advanced ray tracing and upscaling capabilities. Separately, a surprise public playtest for Secret Door and Dreamhaven's Shadowstone has launched, Nintendo is preparing an update for Pokémon Pokopia, and Square Enix has surprise-launched Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Additionally, Jeff Kaplan explained his departure from Blizzard, and deals for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles and games are available.
2026 Game Developers Choice Awards winners announcedThe winners for the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced. Several titles were recognized across various categories, including Best Audio, Best Debut, Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Narrative, Best Technology, Best Visual Art, Social Impact, and Audience Award. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince were among the most nominated games.
Shadowstone, the new game from Secret Door and Dreamhaven, kicks off a surprise public playtest at the Future Games Show…Secret Door and Dreamhaven have launched a surprise public playtest for their upcoming tactics roguelike game, Shadowstone. The playtest, which runs until the game's early access release in 2026, allows players to experience solo or multiplayer matches on PC. Progress made during the playtest will not carry over to the full release.
Everything announced at the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2026The Future Games Show Spring Showcase revealed numerous upcoming video games, including Cordura, Stupid Never Dies, Dave The Diver: In The Jungle DLC, and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Several titles like Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes and WILL: Follow The Light received specific release dates in 2026, while others are slated for later this year or have demos available. The showcase featured world premieres, gameplay deep dives, and developer interviews across various genres and platforms.
New Survival Game The Legend of California Announced and is Being Headed Up by Former Overwatch Lead Director, Launching on PC via Early Access in 2026 | Console CreaturesKintsugiyama, a studio led by former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan, has announced The Legend of California, a multiplayer-focused action survival first-person shooter. The game is set in an alternate timeline gold rush California and will launch on PC via Early Access in 2026 on Steam and Epic Games Store. The publisher is Dreamhaven, co-founded by former Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime.- Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan returns with a Western survival shooterFormer Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has returned with his new studio Kintsugiyama and an open-world action-survival shooter titled The Legend of California. The game, set during a fictionalized gold rush era, will feature PvE and optional PvP elements, cooperative play for up to four players, and will enter early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store later this year. Kaplan revealed the game during an appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast, also discussing his departure from Blizzard due to business pressures.
- The Legend of California AnnouncedKintsugiyama and Dreamhaven have announced The Legend of California, an open-world multiplayer survival shooter. The game is set on the mythical Island of California during the gold rush era and will be released in Early Access.
Ex-Overwatch Director Reveals Western Survival Game The Legend of CaliforniaJeff Kaplan, former director of Overwatch, has announced his new studio Kintsugiyama and its first game, The Legend of California. This Wild West-themed survival shooter will feature action-survival gameplay with first-person shooting elements, supporting both single-player and multiplayer modes. The game is slated for Early Access later this year and is being published by Dreamhaven.- Jeff Kaplan returns with a new Wild West multiplayer survival title – and a revealing interview about why he left BlizzardJeff Kaplan, formerly of Blizzard Entertainment, has revealed his new project: The Legend of California, a multiplayer action survival FPS from developer Kintsugiyama and publisher Dreamhaven. In an interview with Lex Fridman, Kaplan discussed his departure from Blizzard, citing a shift in focus towards monetization and pressure regarding revenue targets. The Legend of California is slated for early access in 2026 on PC via Steam.
Former Overwatch Boss Describes "F--k You" Moment That Led To Blizzard ExitFormer Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan explained that a significant "f--k you moment" involving financial demands from Activision Blizzard led to his departure. He was reportedly told that if Overwatch didn't meet specific revenue targets, 1,000 people would be laid off, a situation he found surreal. Kaplan also discussed how pressure from investors and the Overwatch League interfered with game development, leading to a focus on quick monetization over new content.
Ex-Overwatch Director's New Game Is Giving Off Red Dead Redemption VibesThe Legend of California, an upcoming open-world Western game from former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan's Kintsugiyama studio, is set to launch in early access on PC later this year. Developed by Kintsugiyama and published by Dreamhaven, the game features survival, crafting, and building elements in a 19th-century California gold rush setting, playable solo or cooperatively.- Multiplayer action survival first-person shooter The Legend of California announced for PCPublisher Dreamhaven and developer Kintsugiyama have announced The Legend of California, a multiplayer action survival first-person shooter for PC. Further details about the game's release and features are expected soon.
- Preview: Sunderfolk’s 2.0 update is live with a new hero, new PC controls, and new game modesSunderfolk's 2.0 update is now live, introducing a new hero called the Vanguard, enhanced PC controls with mouse and keyboard support, and new game modes like Arena Rumble and Sacred Sand. The update aims to improve the digital board game experience, offering more replayability and smoother online multiplayer, though it now requires each player to own a copy of the game.
- Wildgate overhauls its progression system, introduces perks, and adds a new ship in latest updateThe PvPvE extraction shooter Wildgate has received a significant update overhauling its progression system with the introduction of starlogs, which offer new weapons, equipment, and a perks system for enhanced character customization. The patch also adds a new battle scout ship, "micro" points of interest, and various balance adjustments.