French video game studio Quantic Dream, best known for narrative-driven titles such as Detroit: Become Human, is preparing to launch its first multiplayer online battle arena game while remaining unaffected by recent layoffs at parent company NetEase, according to people familiar with the matter. The future of the studio’s previously announced Star Wars project remains unclear.
Quantic Dream, acquired by China’s NetEase in 2022 as its first European studio, is set to release Spellcasters Chronicles into Early Access on PC via Steam on Feb. 26. The game marks a departure from the studio’s single-player storytelling focus, moving into a competitive, lane-based 3v3 action strategy format.
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The title adopts a third-person perspective similar to games such as Smite and Valve’s in-development Deadlock, rather than the traditional top-down view popularised by League of Legends. Players select from a roster of spellcasters and compete to control lanes by capturing altars, which generate allied units to push against opposing forces in a structure reminiscent of tower-based MOBAs.
According to the game’s description, “each altar the heroes capture will allow them to produce more units to send into the oncoming enemy waves,” highlighting a progression system where players unlock upgrades ranging from basic unit summons to powerful titans. All characters are also able to fly indefinitely, adding aerial combat and expanded mobility to battles.
Ahead of the Early Access launch, Quantic Dream is running a second closed beta test from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, with access available by request through Steam. The release comes as NetEase restructures parts of its global games business, though Quantic Dream has not been impacted by the job cuts and continues development on its current projects.
Source: Steam