Bandai Namco to Publish Dark Fantasy RPG by Witcher Ex-Devs

Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment has entered into a publishing agreement with Rebel Wolves for the studio's debut Action RPG, Dawnwalker.

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Sign Partnership for “Dawnwalker” Saga

More Dawnwalker Reveals Expected In The Coming Months

Rebel Wolves, the Polish studio founded by The Witcher 3's game and art directors, has secured a deal with Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, announced at the beginning of the week. Bandai will serve as the global publisher for Rebel Wolves' upcoming debut title in the “Dawnwalker” Action RPG saga, set to launch in 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox.

Dawnwalker is a story-driven AAA action-RPG set in medieval Europe, featuring dark fantasy elements designed for mature audiences. Rebel Wolves plans to unveil more details about Dawnwalker in the coming months. Founded in 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, the studio aims to elevate the RPG genre with its narrative-focused approach to gaming.

"Rebel Wolves is a new studio built on strong foundations: a blend of experience and fresh energy. Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, known for its commitment to the role-playing genre and openness to new IPs, is an ideal partner for our team," said Tomasz Tinc, Rebel Wolves' chief publishing officer, in a press release. "They not only align with our values but also have a proven track record in publishing narrative-driven RPGs. We're excited to collaborate with them to bring the first chapter of the Dawnwalker saga to gamers around the world."

Bandai Namco views Dawnwalker as a valuable addition to its game portfolio. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our content development strategy for the Western market," said Alberto Gonzalez Lorca, Bandai Namco's business development VP. "By leveraging our combined strengths, we will bring this debut game from the studio to a global audience."

Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, a CDPR veteran who served as the lead quest designer on The Witcher 3, joined Rebel Wolves earlier this year as the creative director. Dawnwalker introduces a new franchise crafted by Rebel Wolves' co-founder and narrative director Jakub Szamalek, who spent over nine years as a writer at CDPR. The game's scope is expected to be comparable to The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, offering a more non-linear narrative.

"We aim to deliver an experience that allows for diverse choices and encourages experimentation upon replay. Crafting this experience with such a talented team is my mission at Rebel Wolves, and I'm eager for everyone to see what we've been working on," Tomaszkiewicz stated earlier this year.