David Vonderhaar Leaves Comfort Zone with New Venture BulletFarm

In a surprise move, David Vonderhaar, a veteran of Treyarch, announced his departure from the studio after 18 years of working on the Call of Duty franchise. Instead of retiring, Vonderhaar has taken the helm of BulletFarm, a new AAA studio within NetEase. This unexpected turn of events was not part of his original plan, as he had initially considered retiring and traveling the country in his RV. However, the prospect of creative independence and freedom to work on a debut game at BulletFarm was too enticing to resist. Vonderhaar cites the NetEase ecosystem as a major draw, allowing him to set up his own studio, decide on the game, and receive support without undue interference. This approach is a significant departure from his experience working on large games with thousands of developers and a rigid annual release schedule. At BulletFarm, Vonderhaar aims to apply the lessons he learned from his time at Treyarch to create something innovative and different. With a current team of 15 people, Vonderhaar is learning to adapt to a smaller, more agile environment, a far cry from the large-scale structures he was accustomed to. As the head of the studio, he faces new challenges, including making decisions on all aspects of the game and studio. The game itself is still in the prototyping phase, with a focus on co-operative gameplay and an original world. While details are scarce, Vonderhaar emphasizes that the game will be distinct from his previous work on Call of Duty. Over the next year, the studio will refine its vision, with Vonderhaar acknowledging that the final product may differ significantly from their current concept. In terms of growth, Vonderhaar plans to follow a cautious approach, adhering to the 'five, fifteen, and fifty rule,' where the studio expands gradually to ensure a tight-knit team. Despite the risks and challenges facing new AAA studios, Vonderhaar remains undeterred, believing that innovation and creativity are essential for the industry's growth. He views the pressure to succeed as a motivation to push boundaries and create something unique, rather than a deterrent.