Seattle-based game developer One More Game has unveiled its debut title after six years of development, but not before making a dramatic pivot from its original project. The studio, which secured $22 million in funding from Lightspeed and Andreessen Horowitz in 2022, made the bold decision to completely abandon Spellcraft, a hybrid real-time strategy game they had spent over three years developing.

Co-founder Jamie Stormbreaker acknowledged that while Spellcraft was a quality product, the team observed a shift in player preferences away from competitive matchmaking towards cooperative experiences played with friends, similar to titles like Among Us and Lethal Company. This observation, combined with concerns about the free-to-play business model’s alignment with company values, led to the dramatic change in direction.

The studio’s new creation, SWAPMEAT, represents a complete departure from their original vision. This third-person cooperative shooter features a quirky aesthetic influenced by Adult Swim’s 2000s programming, including shows like “Tim and Eric” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” The game introduces an innovative “meat mixing” mechanic where players can collect and swap body parts from defeated enemies to gain new abilities and skills.

One More Game has adopted what they call “alpha-driven development,” extensively showcasing SWAPMEAT at major gaming conventions including PAX West in Seattle, PAX East in Boston, and Gamescom in Germany. This approach allowed the team to gather immediate player feedback and implement improvements, often making adjustments during the events themselves.

The 13-person remote team is now preparing for SWAPMEAT’s Steam Early Access launch next week, having refined the game based on thousands of player interactions at various gaming conventions throughout the year. Unlike their original free-to-play concept, SWAPMEAT will require an upfront purchase, reflecting the studio’s commitment to providing lasting value to players.

The studio’s founders bring considerable industry experience to the project. Patrick Wyatt, who spent nine years as a VP at Blizzard working on franchises like Starcraft and Diablo, later co-founded ArenaNet, known for the Guild Wars series. Stormbreaker’s background includes roles at ArenaNet, Riot Games, and Microsoft-owned Undead Labs.

Notably, PAX West holds special significance for the founders – it was where Stormbreaker and Wyatt first met nearly two decades ago, discussing server technology at the ArenaNet booth. This year’s return to PAX West marked a full-circle moment as they showcased their own game at the very convention where their partnership began.