Will Shen, the lead quest designer for Starfield, has announced his departure from Bethesda. Shen is joining the ranks of Something Wicked Games, a studio where he’ll collaborate with industry veterans from Bioware and Obsidian. Notably, Jeff Gardiner, another Bethesda alumnus, is also part of this new venture.
Shen has been a key figure in Bethesda, where he was responsible for designing some of the standout quests in Starfield. His history with Bethesda dates back to his work on Fallout 3. In his new role at Something Wicked Games, Shen aims to bridge the gap between the studio’s narrative and design teams, ensuring a cohesive gaming experience.
Something Wicked Games has announced its debut project: Wyrdsong. The open-world role-playing game promises to offer a unique blend of dark fantasy settings with elements of real-world history and myths. While specific details remain scant, the game is set to feature Lovecraftian horror elements, adding another layer of intrigue to its narrative.
Jeff Gardiner, who has a long history of producing successful expansions for Bethesda titles like Oblivion and the Fallout series, expressed his ambition for Wyrdsong to be accessible to a broad audience. However, specific plans on how this will be achieved have yet to be disclosed.
As of now, the gaming community is left in the dark regarding many aspects of Wyrdsong. The gameplay style—whether it will be turn-based, an action RPG, or even feature MMO elements—is still up in the air. Fans and industry watchers will have to wait until 2024 for more concrete information, according to sources.
This transition marks a new chapter for both Shen and Gardiner and raises the curtain on a promising new project that has captured the interest of the gaming world. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.