From Animation to Indie Gaming Success: The Journey of Ember Lab

Ember Lab, founded in 2009, initially focused on commercial animation and digital content. However, with the release of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the studio made a successful foray into the gaming world. Josh and Michael Grier, the co-founders, attribute their success to their experience in creating original content and telling stories through various media. The brothers' journey into game development was facilitated by their work on short-form projects, including mobile games and CG characters for advertising campaigns. These experiences helped shape the studio's style, which blends stylized characters with realistic environments. A pivotal moment came in 2015 when Epic made Unreal Engine 4 free, allowing the studio to leverage its VFX expertise. The success of their CG short film, 'Majora's Mask - Terrible Fate,' also helped raise their profile in the gaming sphere. Rather than relying on established franchises, Ember Lab aimed to create its own original IP, drawing from their experience in developing brand mascots. Their pitch for Kena: Bridge of Spirits caught Sony's attention, securing funding and marketing support. The game's debut at the PlayStation Future of Gaming stream in 2020 brought both excitement and pressure. The studio intentionally designed the game to have a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of PS2-era platformers. To achieve this, they built a team with expertise in game development, using Unreal Engine's Blueprint and partnering with engineers. The final game was more extensive in scope than initially envisioned, featuring a unique mechanic with the Rot characters. The biggest challenge the studio faced was adapting to the complexities of game development, particularly in communication and project management. With Kena's success, including breaking even within a month and winning Best Debut at The Game Awards, Ember Lab is now driven to pursue new projects, potentially exploring different mediums and genres while maintaining a manageable scope.