Astrid Entertainment: Redefining the Intersection of Linear Entertainment and Gaming

Over two years ago, former Amazon and Fox executive Sharon Tal Yguado launched Astrid Entertainment, a games studio focused on crafting unique experiences for teenagers. The developer has been working on an untitled "living adventure sandbox" project, aiming to fill a gap in the market dominated by violent AAA games and cozy indie titles. According to Yguado, the team sought to create an experience that is both positive and exciting, offering an adrenaline rush without resorting to violence. "We're combining the best elements of RPGs, such as rich world-building and exploration, with a sandbox approach, giving players the tools to shape their own world," she explains. Since the studio's founding, the team has spent the first year prototyping and building the IP, followed by ten months of developing a proof of concept and demo. Astrid is currently testing the game's multiplayer features with friends and family, focusing on a more curated community experience. "It's an adventure game that allows players to shape the future of their world, rather than just killing and destroying," Yguado says. "Players can invite friends and family to join their world, creating a more personal and social experience." Yguado emphasizes the importance of "multiplayer stories" that evolve the world in unique ways, making it feel more personal to each player. Having worked in linear entertainment for over a decade, Yguado was drawn to the concept of this interactive experience, which she believes had to be a social and interactive one. "The pitch was for a magical, open world where people can explore, connect, and create together," she explains. "Developing this IP as a linear experience would have been a missed opportunity." The project marks a departure from Yguado's previous work on darker, edgier stories like The Walking Dead and The Boys. "I knew it was time for a correction, and this project offers a breath of fresh air," she notes. Yguado sees opportunities for this project to cross over into linear entertainment, with plans for film or television adaptations in the future. "Astrid is an entertainment group that looks at all media outlets and platforms as candidates," she explains. "We're going to invest in social first, despite the challenges the industry is facing." The studio's team includes industry leaders from Industrial Light & Magic, Disney Imagineering, Epic Games, Rare, and PlayStation, with a focus on talent specializing in environmental storytelling and system design. With a current team of 15 people, Astrid aims to keep its staff relatively small to maintain a close-knit development process. "We all share similar passions, and I think our strong bond comes from the project we're developing," Yguado says. Looking ahead to 2025, Yguado is excited about the studio's growth prospects, with plans to hire new talent and start pre-production. "We hope to grow the team and process while keeping the magic, and to kick off production later this year," she explains. Yguado also hopes to see more independent developers break through the noise, offering fresh and original experiences that cater to players' cravings for something new.