Three years ago, Sharon Tal Yguado, a former executive at Amazon and Fox, started her own game studio called Astrid Entertainment.
Since then, the team has been developing a project aimed at teenagers, described as a “social experience.” Yguado noticed a gap in a gaming market largely focused on violent themes and cozy indie games. She believes it’s time to create something positive, yet still thrilling. She says, “We want to deliver an adrenaline rush that’s exciting but also encourages creativity.”
From the beginning, the team focused on combining the best parts of role-playing games (RPGs) with a sandbox style. This means players will enjoy rich storytelling, vast explorations, and the freedom to shape the world around them.
Astrid’s first year was all about prototyping and creating the game’s identity. They recently completed a demo after ten months of hard work. Right now, they’re testing the game with family and friends to refine how multiplayer storytelling works.
Yguado describes the game as an adventure but not a survival experience. Players will encounter various challenges but will focus on shaping their environment instead of destruction. “It’s about using your powers to influence the future of your land,” she explains.
In this game, players will have ownership of their worlds and can invite friends and family. It’s designed to foster a close-knit community rather than random interactions with strangers. Yguado envisions a space where players connect over shared interests, although this aspect may develop later.
The project is a departure from Yguado’s past experiences with more intense narratives, such as “The Walking Dead” and “The Boys.” She believes the current entertainment landscape calls for more uplifting stories. “Looking at the world today, it’s clear that we need a shift away from darker tales,” she says.
Yguado also sees potential for the game to branch into movies or TV shows eventually. Astrid is not just a game studio but a broader entertainment group exploring various media formats. “We’re prioritizing social experiences first,” she notes.
Despite challenges in the industry, Yguado asserts that gaming sits at a unique crossroads of content, social media, and technology. This focus on crossover potential also guided her hiring choices for Astrid. She assembled a diverse team with backgrounds from major companies like Disney and Epic Games.
Astrid operates out of Los Angeles but has a remote setup, with many team members in the UK. The small team of 15 is intentional, as Yguado values close collaboration. “We all share similar passions and have a lot of fun together,” she says, highlighting the strong bonds formed during development.
Looking ahead to 2025, Yguado is excited about the studio’s growth. They are hiring for new positions and are about to enter pre-production. “We’ve learned so much in these past three years, and now it’s time to build on that,” she explains.
Yguado also hopes to encourage other independent developers to take risks in a crowded market. “Players want fresh experiences. The gaming landscape may seem full, but there’s always room for bold new ideas,” she adds. “Caution might feel smart during uncertain times, but it often stifles long-term success. I can’t wait to see what daring steps we’ll see in 2025.”
