Jackalyptic Games opened last year as NetEase's first US-based studio. Fully remote and headed by MMO veteran Jack Emmert, we didn't know much about what it was working on until now. With yesterday's announcement that the studio's first game will be an MMO set in the Warhammer IP, we wanted to catch up with the developer to discuss why they changed the name, the studio's vision, and more.
MMORPG.com: Could you talk about the core reason for the rebranded studio name? What went into the decision and how did you go from Jackalope to Jackalyptic Games?
Jack Emmert, Jackalyptic Games: Jackalope Games was a tad generic – there are plenty of Jackalope-inspired companies out there. We looked at a jackalope and said, well it’s a cryptid (a mysterious creature) – so let’s combine those two names! We ended up with Jackalypt, but one of our employees kept saying Jackalyptic – and that sounded much cooler!
MMORPG.com: Has, if at all, the rebrand changed the way the studio operates?
JE: A: Nope. We’re still the same bunch of zany developers!
MMORPG..com: With the rebrand, how has the scope and vision of what the studio wants to accomplish changed? Can you speak a bit about that vision and where you see the studio going over the next few years?
JE: Right now, we’re 100% behind the game we’re working on. Everything else we’ll tackle as it comes.
MMORPG.com: Jackalyptic is the first NetEase studio based out of the United States - how has it been to work with the company and what kind of freedom does it afford?
JE: NetEase is totally committed to supporting game development. Every NetEase employee It’s been amazing to tap resources from a company who’s made some of the most successful games in China. There’s practically no problem that NetEase hasn’t seen and solved over the years. And we get take advantage of all that knowledge. We’re able to ask for help in every single field. It’s difficult to describe to anyone how the NetEase culture is SO supportive of its developers. I always feel like everyone is not only willing to help, but actively wants to help.
MMORPG.com: Have there been any major staffing changes to the studio since it was initially announced, and now with the rebrand?
JE: We’ve certainly grown – slightly over 40ish. But still the same crazy folks.
MMORPG.com: Jackalyptic is a fully remote studio if I’m not mistaken. How do you think that helps the studio achieve its creative vision, and do you foresee this ever changing, especially as more and more studios are forcing returning to an office?
JE: I hope not! I think working from home is such a huge quality of life benefit; no one needs to struggle with commutes. Suddenly, the random chore doesn’t become a Herculean labor. We’re all gamers on the team and much of our free time is already spent online – why does work make a difference? We can get on calls at the drop of a hat with any number of apps….no different than going by someone’s desk. And if I, as the CEO, am worried that my employees aren’t committed or aren’t working as hard as they should – what would bringing them into an office do? Does that really change up things? Am I going to put up cameras everywhere and review the recordings daily? Beyond silly. We’re all professionals at the studio – we know what we are capable of. We trust one another.
MMORPG.com: Warhammer - it’s an IP that means a lot to millions of people worldwide. What does it mean to have the first game from your studio be based on such an iconic franchise?
JE: We haven’t specified the particular IP yet, but I can tell you as a longtime fan of everything Warhammer, I’m thrilled. Honestly, my career has been spent trying to create games inspired by my personal hobbies – comic books (City of Heroes, Champions Online), Star Trek (Star Trek Online), D&D (Neverwinter), DC Comics (DC Universe Online) – and a couple of stabs at Marvel. Warhammer is another passion of mine.
MMORPG.com: While it’s still early stages, can you share anything about the vision of your upcoming Warhammer MMO and what players might be able to expect?
JE: I really can’t get into specifics, but I’ve tried with all my games to be 100% authentic. Sure, we’ve had bugs or I’ve made a dumb design decision, but I’ve always loved the products I’ve made and played them incessantly. I’d like to think that the majority of fans have always understood that part of it.
