What That’s No Moon Is Working On: A Glimpse into the Future of Narrative Gaming

Are you a fan of immersive, story-driven video games? Do you ever wonder what the industry's most seasoned veterans are cooking up next? If so, you're in for a treat. A relatively new, yet incredibly promising, independent AAA game development studio has emerged, poised to redefine narrative experiences. We're talking about That's No Moon, a studio that has quickly captured the attention of gamers and industry insiders alike. But what That's No Moon is working on exactly? Let's dive deep into their ambitious plans and uncover the exciting projects that are currently in development.

Who is That's No Moon? The Star-Studded Studio

Founded in 2021, That's No Moon isn't just another new studio; it's a powerhouse formed by a collective of industry veterans. This includes award-winning talent from some of the most recognizable and acclaimed creative teams in gaming, such as Naughty Dog (known for The Last of Us and Uncharted), Santa Monica Studio (God of War), and Infinity Ward (Call of Duty).

The leadership team alone reads like a who's who of game development:

• Michael Mumbauer: CEO, formerly head of PlayStation's Visual Arts Group.
• Tina Kowalewski: Chief Strategy Officer, previously head of product development at Sony Santa Monica.
• Taylor Kurosaki: Creative Director and Chief Creative Officer, with a background at Infinity Ward and Naughty Dog.
• Jacob Minkoff: Game Director, also a veteran from Infinity Ward and Naughty Dog.
• Nick Kononelos: Chief Operating Officer.

With such an impressive pedigree, it's clear that That's No Moon is built on a foundation of extensive experience and a shared vision for pushing creative boundaries.

Backed by Billions: The Smilegate Partnership

A studio with such grand ambitions requires significant backing, and That's No Moon has secured just that. They've partnered with and received an unprecedented investment of over $100 million from Smilegate, the South Korean gaming giant behind the blockbuster CROSSFIRE franchise and the record-breaking MMORPG, Lost Ark. This substantial investment not only provides the financial stability needed for AAA development but also signifies a shared vision between the two entities to "create new experiences that will inspire empathy and deeper personal connections with players around the world."

What That's No Moon Is Working On: Their Debut Project

The burning question on everyone's mind is, of course, what That's No Moon is working on as their first major title? While official details have been carefully guarded, the studio has confirmed that their debut project is an "ambitious AAA single-player third-person action-adventure game." This aligns perfectly with their stated mission to focus on narrative-driven experiences, a genre their core team excels at.

A Deep Dive into the Game's Details

While specific plot points remain under wraps, several intriguing details have surfaced about this highly anticipated title:

• Engine of Choice: The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, a powerful tool known for its ability to create stunningly realistic graphics and immersive worlds. This choice suggests a commitment to high-fidelity visuals and cutting-edge gameplay.
• Genre and Theme: Initial speculation, partly fueled by the studio's Star Wars-referencing name, hinted at a connection to a popular existing IP. However, this has largely been debunked. More recent reports and unearthed information, including a mention in a motion capture actor's resume and an early prototype screenshot, strongly suggest the game will be a military-themed shooter. Given Smilegate's involvement with Crossfire, there's strong speculation that this could be a cinematic, third-person take on that universe, aiming to expand its presence in Western console and PC markets.
• Focus on Story and Gameplay: The studio emphasizes that story and gameplay are not separate entities but "extensions of one another." This philosophy, honed by the team's work on critically acclaimed narrative games, promises a deeply integrated experience where the narrative drives the action and vice versa.

Beyond Gaming: A Multi-Media Vision

Interestingly, That's No Moon's ambition extends beyond just video games. Their announcement press release mentions that the studio "rests at the intersections of games, film, and TV," and their vision is to create characters and worlds that "begin in our games, but will eventually extend into linear media—whether that's TV, film, or beyond." This suggests a long-term strategy to build expansive, transmedia franchises, offering players and viewers multiple avenues to engage with their creations. Could their first military-themed game eventually spawn a TV series or a film? Only time will tell, but the potential is certainly there.

The That's No Moon Approach: Prioritizing People and Process

Beyond the projects themselves, That's No Moon is also committed to fostering a healthier development environment. The gaming industry has, at times, been criticized for "crunch" culture, where developers work excessive hours. That's No Moon aims to adopt a "prioritization system" to avoid these issues, breaking down games into manageable pieces and prioritizing elements to ensure a more balanced and sustainable workflow. They also aim to recruit newer developers, bringing fresh voices and backgrounds to the team, and contribute to leaving the industry better than they found it. This focus on employee well-being and diverse perspectives could be a significant factor in the quality and innovation of what That's No Moon is working on.

Conclusion: An Exciting Horizon for Gamers

That's No Moon has quickly established itself as a studio to watch. With an all-star team, significant financial backing, and a clear vision for crafting rich, narrative-driven experiences that transcend traditional gaming boundaries, their debut AAA single-player third-person action-adventure game is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated titles in development. While specific details remain somewhat scarce, the promise of a military-themed shooter built with Unreal Engine 5 by veterans of the industry's most beloved franchises is enough to ignite excitement.

What are you most excited to see from That's No Moon? Do you think their focus on narrative and multi-media expansion will set a new standard for the industry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What kind of games does That's No Moon make?

A1: That's No Moon specializes in creating ambitious, single-player, third-person action-adventure games with a strong emphasis on narrative and story. They aim to build worlds and characters that can extend beyond games into other media like film and TV.

Q2: Who are the key people behind That's No Moon?

A2: The studio was founded by industry veterans including CEO Michael Mumbauer (formerly PlayStation Visual Arts Group), Chief Strategy Officer Tina Kowalewski (formerly Sony Santa Monica), Creative Director Taylor Kurosaki (formerly Infinity Ward/Naughty Dog), and Game Director Jacob Minkoff (formerly Infinity Ward/Naughty Dog).

Q3: Is That's No Moon's first game a Star Wars title?

A3: Despite the studio's name being a popular Star Wars reference, initial speculation that their first game would be a Star Wars title has been debunked. While it's based on an existing IP, it's not Star Wars. Recent reports suggest it's a military-themed shooter, possibly related to Smilegate's Crossfire franchise.

Q4: When can we expect to see That's No Moon's first game?

A4: As of now, That's No Moon has not announced a release date for their debut project. The game is in development, and given its AAA scope and the studio's commitment to quality and healthy development practices, it will likely be some time before it's ready for release.