A group of former Ubisoft Barcelona developers has launched a new independent games company, Dark Ritual Studios, with plans to pursue smaller-scale development and greater creative control. The Barcelona-based studio is already working on its debut title, dark fantasy game Puzzle Mage, which is scheduled for PC release in 2027.
Dark Ritual Studios Emerges Following Ubisoft Barcelona Job Cuts
The formation of Dark Ritual Studios comes after Ubisoft eliminated 51 positions at its Barcelona operation following the June launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Led by founder Myles Kerwin, the new studio brings together former Ubisoft Barcelona staff and other experienced games industry professionals. Kerwin said his time working within a major publisher demonstrated some of the difficulties large development organisations face when trying to remain flexible.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Kerwin said working at an organisation the size of Ubisoft showed “how difficult it can be to stay agile.”
Dark Ritual Studios is therefore adopting a deliberately compact structure, designed to allow ideas to progress from discussion to development more rapidly.
“Our experience across Ubisoft Barcelona and other studios reinforced a belief that has been growing for a while: great games don’t necessarily require enormous teams,” Kerwin said. “AAA development has become incredibly complex. Large productions inevitably involve many layers of coordination, and that can slow creative decision-making.”
A Smaller Team With Greater Creative Ownership
Rather than attempting to replicate the development structure of a major publisher, Dark Ritual Studios intends to keep its workforce small and experienced.
Kerwin said: “At Dark Ritual Studios, we’re embracing the opposite approach – a small, experienced team with clear creative ownership, faster decision-making, and a focus on craftsmanship over scale.”
The strategy reflects a wider shift across parts of the games sector, where independent developers are increasingly looking for sustainable production models amid rising development costs and widespread restructuring at larger companies.
For UK players and developers, the trend is particularly relevant as Britain’s sizeable independent games sector similarly operates alongside major AAA studios and international publishers.
Puzzle Mage Set for PC Release in 2027
Dark Ritual Studios has already secured enough funding to complete its first project, Puzzle Mage, a dark fantasy title planned for PC in 2027.
The game has passed 1,000 wishlists on Steam, which Kerwin described as a “nice early milestone” that “suggests the concept is resonating with players.”
Although modest compared with the audiences targeted by major releases, early wishlist figures can provide independent studios with an indication of player interest ahead of launch.
Kerwin said feedback from early testing has also been positive.
“The response from early playtests has been extremely encouraging, particularly around the spell-casting system, which players consistently mention as a highlight,” he said. “Our goal isn’t to chase trends – it’s to build a game we’re genuinely passionate about.”
Self-Publishing or Publisher Partnership Still Under Review
Dark Ritual Studios is not currently looking for further investment, although the company has yet to decide how Puzzle Mage will ultimately be brought to market.
Kerwin said the team is “evaluating whether self-publishing or partnering with a publisher is the right long-term strategy.”
That choice comes at a challenging time for the global games business, following a period of job losses, studio closures and tighter investment conditions. Keeping production costs manageable is central to Dark Ritual Studios’ approach.
“That’s the challenge every studio is facing today,” Kerwin said. “Our strategy is to keep our team lean, our scope realistic, and our budgets under control. That gives us more flexibility and reduces the pressure that comes with very large productions.
“While the industry has certainly seen difficult times, we’re also seeing many independent studios build successful, sustainable businesses by focusing on well-executed games with clear identities. That’s the model we’re aiming for.”
Dark Ritual Studios Bets on Sustainable Indie Development
Dark Ritual Studios enters the market at a time when developers across Europe and beyond are reconsidering how games can be produced sustainably without the enormous teams and budgets associated with modern AAA projects.
With Puzzle Mage funded through completion and early player feedback proving encouraging, the Barcelona studio is betting that a focused team, controlled costs and a distinct creative identity can provide an alternative path. Its first significant test will come when Puzzle Mage reaches PC players in 2027.
Thomas Hawthorne is a contributor to Nintendo-power.com, covering a broad range of topics including news, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, accurate, and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about important developments and emerging trends. With a reader-first approach, Thomas aims to provide useful context, balanced insights, and engaging stories that reflect the issues, events, and interests shaping everyday life.