Following its separation from Sega, Relic Entertainment has embarked on a new journey as an independent studio.  CEO Justin Dowdeswell outlined the company's revamped strategy, emphasizing a shift towards smaller-scale game development and the revival of classic titles.

Relic Entertainment boasts a rich legacy of acclaimed games, including the Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes series.  Despite its creative successes, the studio has navigated a complex ownership history, from THQ to Sega and now, to independence under Emona Capital LLP.

Dowdeswell reassured fans of continued support for existing titles like Company of Heroes 3, with ongoing patches and content updates. However, the core of the new strategy revolves around developing and publishing smaller, internally-developed games.

This approach involves smaller development teams and shorter production cycles, aiming to deliver games with lower budgets within a 1-2 year timeframe. This contrasts with the larger-scale projects Relic has been known for.

This new direction also encompasses the development of entirely new franchises alongside re-releases, remasters, and potential revisits to titles like Age of Empires 4. The goal is to retain the essence of Relic's iconic games while introducing innovative elements to engage a new generation of players.

Dowdeswell stressed the importance of this strategic shift for Relic's future. He emphasized the team's passion for creating memorable gaming experiences, promising innovative and high-quality titles that will appeal to a broad audience.  "The future of Relic Entertainment is bright, and we are excited to embark on this new journey," Dowdeswell stated.

The studio's recent separation from Sega resulted in layoffs, raising concerns about the impact of the new strategy on the workforce. Dowdeswell addressed these concerns, assuring Game Developer that the new focus will not lead to further redundancies.  Instead, he explained that it allows the team to better align with the business's needs, placing Relic on a more stable footing.