Blood of Dawnwalker is 'fully funded' and isn't affected by NetEase layoffs

NetEase is cutting ties with risky investments as its realigns its business strategies, leading to some surprising layoffs and closures. Not all of NetEase's investments will be affected by the move, however.

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Blood of Dawnwalker, a new dark fantasy game from former Witcher 3 devs, hasn't been jeopardized by NetEase's cuts. It turns out that NetEase is only a minority shareholder in Rebel Wolves, the team that's making Blood of Dawnwalker.

In a recent LinkedIn post, studio co-owner Tomasz Tinc clarifies that Blood of Dawnwalker's production budget has already been paid for.

I've also read the articles suggesting that Rebel Wolves may be in danger due to the rumoured situation at NetEase.

"First and foremost, thank you for all the warm messages and wishes. The development of our game is progressing steadily, and we're facing no financial issues.

"The Blood of Dawnwalker's production is fully funded, and we work alongside our partners and friends from Bandai Namco, our game's global publisher, to bring the first chapter of the Dawnwalker saga to life.

"The vast majority of Rebel Wolves' ownership rests in the hands of Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and other studio co-owners, all of whom are employed by Rebel Wolves. NetEase is Rebel Wolves' minority shareholder."

The game takes place in a brutal 14th-century Europe that's been riven by plague, giving a very distinct Witcher vibe. It'll be third-person action with emphasis on narrative decision-making and branching story. No release date has been set for Blood of Dawnwalker, but it's been made for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.