Relic Entertainment’s Bold New Strategy: What’s Next After Sega?

Creating games is much like playing a real-time strategy (RTS) game. Sometimes, you need to pivot and adapt.

Relic Entertainment is now on its own, embracing independence after parting ways with Sega. This Canadian studio, known for its impressive catalog of RTS games, is eager to explore new paths as a smaller, indie game developer.

Founded in Vancouver in 1997, Relic has a rich history, producing notable titles like Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. However, after Sega acquired Relic in 2013 during THQ’s bankruptcy, the studio faced challenges, particularly with the long development cycle and mixed reception of Company of Heroes 3.

In April 2023, following a difficult decade, Relic became an independent entity again. Justin Dowdeswell, CEO, joined the studio shortly after the Sega acquisition. He believes in Relic’s potential, especially with its history and technology backing new games.

Being independent allows Relic to innovate freely. Dowdeswell expresses excitement about exploring where RTS games can go next. He notes a loyal but niche audience for RTS games, especially with franchise classics like Company of Heroes. Yet reaching new players is critical. The challenge is to broaden their audience while maintaining the depth that fans expect.

Currently, Relic has around 100 employees. Many are based in Vancouver, although there’s a flexible work environment. The team is focused on self-funding projects, learning to develop games sustainably through updates and smaller titles to grow their capabilities.

Historically, RTS games were a dominant genre, but that has shifted over the years. Dowdeswell acknowledges the current landscape where RTS games are less common but reassures fans of Relic’s commitment to serious strategy gaming.

He pointed out that rising budgets and risks in gaming have made the landscape challenging. As an independent studio, Relic can navigate these issues more flexibly. The plan is to release smaller projects under “Relic Labs,” allowing experimentation with less risk and frequency, ultimately engaging with the community better.

Relic has announced a lot of updates for Company of Heroes 3. Their upcoming content, titled Fire & Steel, will introduce new features and gameplay options to keep the game fresh and engaging. Dowdeswell emphasizes the importance of supporting their titles and incorporating community feedback into future releases.

The studio recognizes the need to adapt its gameplay to modern expectations. Dowdeswell aims to streamline gameplay experience and reduce the learning curve for new players. He noted that long session times are less appealing to today’s gamers, prompting the studio to create quicker, more accessible gaming experiences.

Ultimately, Relic balances its identity as an acclaimed studio while evolving with the changing market. By actively reaching out and engaging with fans, they hope to ensure their future games resonate with both new and long-time fans.