David Vonderhaar Discusses His New Venture with BulletFarm

In a surprise move, David Vonderhaar, a renowned game developer, announced his departure from Treyarch, the studio behind the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, after 18 years. He has now taken the helm of BulletFarm, a new AAA studio within NetEase, marking a significant shift in his career. Vonderhaar initially had no plans to start a new studio, intending to retire and travel instead. However, the opportunity to work with NetEase and create a new game with more creative freedom was too enticing to resist. He cites the importance of independence and autonomy in game development, allowing developers to bring their vision to life without unnecessary constraints. In contrast to his previous experience working on large-scale games with thousands of developers, Vonderhaar is now part of a smaller team at BulletFarm. This change allows him to apply the lessons he learned from his time at Treyarch in a new and innovative way. He believes that the best game development experiences come from working on smaller, more focused projects, where creativity and innovation can thrive. Many AAA developers have ventured out on their own, often opting for full independence. While Vonderhaar acknowledges the success of some of these endeavors, he chose a different path, recognizing the complexity and challenges that come with starting a new studio from scratch. When asked about the challenges he faces with BulletFarm, Vonderhaar identifies three key areas: adapting to a smaller team, taking on a leadership role, and creating a new game that differs from his previous work on Call of Duty. He is excited to learn and grow in these new roles, embracing the opportunity to make a game that is truly distinct from his previous work. The studio plans to spend the next year prototyping their debut game, with Vonderhaar emphasizing the importance of caution and careful planning. He follows the "five, fifteen, and fifty rule," starting with a core team, growing to 15 people for prototyping, and then scaling up to 50 or more for full development. Vonderhaar prioritizes maintaining a personal connection with his team members, ensuring that he knows each of their names and can foster a collaborative, innovative environment. Despite the risks and challenges associated with starting a new AAA studio, Vonderhaar remains undeterred. He believes that the pressure to innovate should be on those who are not trying to push the boundaries of game development, rather than on those who are taking risks and striving to create something new. Vonderhaar sees himself and his team as part of a larger story, one where innovation and creativity can lead to groundbreaking games that resonate with players.