Mafia creator founds new studio
Warhorse working on RPG.
High profile members of Mafia developer 2K Czech and original Operation Flashpoint studio Bohemia Interactive have split to form a new outfit.
Prague-based Warhorse's first project is a yet to be announced RPG.
"There is a common thread running through our previous games: open worlds, strong storyline and, last but not least, realistic design," a statement on the Warhorse official site reads.
"We can proudly say that the games Mafia and Operation Flashpoint were the vanguard of this approach and millions of players worldwide clearly share our view. Even if our new project is different in many respects, it is a game that is not going to disappoint fans of open realistic worlds and quality stories."
Sat firmly in the jockey seat as Warhorse founder is mob shooter Mafia man Daniel Vávra. Creator of the series, he served as the original Mafia's director and lead designer, and holds designer and screenplay credits for Mafia II.
Other Czech talent includes Dragon's Lair author Martin Klíma, formerly of publishers ALTAR (Original War, UFO trilogy). Operation Flashpoint and ARMA designer Viktor Bocan, plus Mafia animator Zbynek Trávnivký are also on board.
The independent startup stable is currently recruiting more programmers and artists. Already the team's combined works have sold more than 11 million copies.