Former Call of Duty dev forms new studio

Former Call of Duty developer David Vonderhaar has become the studio head of BulletFarm, a new AAA studio formed under the NetEase Games banner.

Vonderhaar, known by Call of Duty fans for his work on the Black Ops series, will lead BulletFarm's development of a 'new and ambitious AAA game' utilising Unreal Engine 5 and set in an original universe with a focus on co-op gameplay.

Very little is known about BulletFarm's first title suggesting the development cycle is in its early stages meaning a name and release date is still far away.

Vonderhaar left Call of Duty developer Treyarch in August 2023 to seek new opportunities after spearheading the development of the Black Ops Series until its most recent instalment, Black Ops Cold War.

Credit: BulletFarm

The genre of the game isn't clear-cut either. With Vonderhaar's wealth of experience in first-person shooters, it's natural to assume BulletFarm's title will feature some kind of shooting. According to a release, the game will 'craft a more intimate and relatable experience while offering a fresh take on first-person gameplay.'

In addition to Vonderhaar leading BulletFarm, game designer Chris Cowell has been appointed the creative director of the studio headquartered in Los Angeles.

Vonderhaar, newly-appointed BulletFarm studio head, spoke on his new role:

"Starting this new studio has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and try my hand at making something entirely new and different. This is a departure from the games I've worked on, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling, and plenty of action."

NetEase Games has also revealed BulletFarm is 'actively seeking top talent to join the founding team' which is promising news following the continuation of layoffs across the gaming industry. On February 27, 2024, PlayStation laid off 8% of its workforce. Hopefully, the opening of BulletFarm can provide a new opportunity for those affected.