Former developers from Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog have come together to launch a new US-based game studio called Near Studios. The studio is led by Heather Cerlan, CEO and creative director, who previously worked as a lead 3D artist at Skydance New Media, as well as holding senior art roles at Wizards of the Coast’s Archetype Entertainment, Bethesda Game Studios, Naughty Dog, and EA.
Co-founding the studio alongside Cerlan is Jason Richardson, who serves as game director. Richardson was formerly a lead designer at Funcom and has experience in systems and gameplay design at Bethesda and BioWare.
The team also includes Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith, who will apply his deep knowledge of sandbox systems to the studio’s first game, Hawthorn. Described by early testers as a blend of “an intimate Skyrim sandbox” with the village life simulation of Stardew Valley, Hawthorn promises a unique experience.
Richardson explained, “In Hawthorn, every aspect – from crafting to exploration – revolves around a vibrant village of NPCs and your co-op companions. We aim to recapture the nostalgic joy of shared adventures, much like the timeless stories and simple pleasures that unite us across generations.”
Source: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bethesda-bioware-and-naughty-dog-alumni-form-near-studios
Co-founding the studio alongside Cerlan is Jason Richardson, who serves as game director. Richardson was formerly a lead designer at Funcom and has experience in systems and gameplay design at Bethesda and BioWare.
The team also includes Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith, who will apply his deep knowledge of sandbox systems to the studio’s first game, Hawthorn. Described by early testers as a blend of “an intimate Skyrim sandbox” with the village life simulation of Stardew Valley, Hawthorn promises a unique experience.
Richardson explained, “In Hawthorn, every aspect – from crafting to exploration – revolves around a vibrant village of NPCs and your co-op companions. We aim to recapture the nostalgic joy of shared adventures, much like the timeless stories and simple pleasures that unite us across generations.”
Source: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bethesda-bioware-and-naughty-dog-alumni-form-near-studios