Gearbox, Bethesda and Epic veterans reveal their new multiplayer ‘suburban invasion’ game

Ruckus Games, the studio set up by Gearbox, Bethesda and Epic Games veterans, has shown off its upcoming debut title.

The currently unnamed project is described as a “session-based suburban invasion game combining RPG elements, crafting, town building and more”.

Ruckus Games was set up in 2021 following the departure of a number of senior staff members from Gearbox.

The studio is led by CEO and game director Paul Sage (who was creative director on Borderlands 3 and The Elder Scrolls Online).

Its debut game will see Scott Kester in the art director role. Kester was the art director on Borderlands 3.

“This new title will offer co-op for up to four players in an evolving world that will be updated with new emergent content over time,” the studio says.

“Set in a reminiscent era amid the backdrop of the American heartland, players are thrust into the shoes of everyday people forced to become heroes when the town comes under attack. It is not clear what is behind the strange events, and things don’t quite seem to add up.”

The studio recently secured $19 million of Series A funding to continue development on the game.

“Notably, the investors were sold on Ruckus’ premiere project after playing a mere 20 minutes of its vertical slice demo – an especially impressive feat for a prototype made by only 14 people across 12 months,” it claims.

The game will feature a “large roster of playable characters” and will allow the player to create “thousands of unique makeshift weapon combinations”, including a toaster which shoots saw blades and a power washer turned into a flamethrower.

The studio says that in 2021 its members “saw an industry willing to take risks on huge budgets and recycled mechanics but unwilling to take risks on new gameplay and experiences for players,” and therefore left to form Ruckus Games.

“We want games where people have fun from the get-go,” Sage said in a statement. “Games that are physical, joyous, and just a damn good time to be shared with others. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store.”