NetEase Games Reveals BulletFarm, New AAA Studio From Ex-Call of Duty Devs

NetEase Games, publisher behind games such as Naraka: Bladepoint and Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, have announced the establishment of a brand new game studio — BulletFarm. 

This new remote-first AAA game studio is helmed by David Vonderhaar, an industry veteran known for his work on the Call of Duty: Black Ops series. Joining Vonderhaar is veteran game designer Chris Cowell, who will be taking on the studio's creative director role, having most recently been the principal game designer at Treyarch.

Of BulletFarm, Vonderhaar said, "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.”

Vondehaar led multiplayer game design on Call of Duty: World at War, and other Call of Duty titles, before taking up the Studio Design Director role for the Call of Duty: Black Ops series.

BulletFarm are already developing a new AAA title, set in an original universe. The game will have a focus on co-op gameplay and be built in Unreal Engine 5. The studio is also actively recruiting to bring top talent into its new team.