Announcing Project Astrid

March 16, 2023

Announcing Project Astrid: a AAA open-world survival game, developed in partnership with leading creators Sacriel and shroud. 

Sacriel and shroud bring with them a unique perspective to the development process; sharing their experience as players, streamers, subject matter experts, and community builders and leaders. 

Mike ‘shroud’ Grzesiek, said: “This project means everything to me. Chris and I have refined a vision for what’s next in the survival genre and with Splash Damage we’re setting out to build it. We want to build the best survival game ever, and with Sacriel’s brain and Splash Damage’s team, I know we can do it.” 

Chris ‘Sacriel’ Ball said “This is a dream come true. Mike and I have been envisioning a world where we help build the game that streamers and gamers love playing. To be able to execute with a team as esteemed and experienced as Splash Damage is a privilege. In our work together to date, it is clear to us that we are truly part of the team and that we are well positioned to help bring this dream to reality.”   

Sacriel and shroud have been involved with Project Astrid from the very start. This allows us to leverage their experience and knowledge to create a game worthy of the genre and its fans. 

“Sacriel and shroud are core members of our development team,” said Lance Winter, Creative Director on Project Astrid. “They bring with them a unique and fresh perspective. Not only that, but they’re providing us brand new insights into what fans and creators actually want from their gaming experiences. No one knows this genre better than they do.” 

From left to right: Mike ‘shroud’ Grzesiek, Lance Winter, Chris ‘Sacriel’ Ball.

Building the future of Splash Damage

The partnership is a bold step forward in this new era for Splash Damage. It follows the announcement of TRANSFORMERS: REACTIVATE and our acquisition of UK-based Bulkhead. In addition, we also formed our own in-house publishing team.

Project Astrid gives us the opportunity to build a new, original world, like Brink and Dirty Bomb. However, we now have the freedom to do it on a much more ambitious scale.

Richard Jolly, CEO of Splash Damage said, “Founding from friends who met in online PvP, Splash Damage has been passionate about crafting unforgettable multiplayer experiences for over 20 years. Project Astrid is the culmination of this passion, born out of a partnership with two close friends, who also happen to be incredibly well-respected experts in our industry. We’re excited to share something fresh with our fans as we take a bold step forward and craft a game that’s truly different from anything we’ve done before.”

shroud, Lance, and Sacriel

“Working with Sacriel and shroud has given us a unique opportunity,” said Dave Miller, Head of Publishing. “This new era of Splash Damage is about doing things differently, but also owning the entire process; from concept to publishing. Bringing in the guys right at the start of the process allows us to use their knowledge and experience, collaborating with them to make something truly unique in the genre.”

Project Astrid is currently in pre-production, and we can’t wait to reveal more in the near future. You can sign up for updates here or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

It’s not our only project, either. We’re still hard at work on TRANSFORMERS: REACTIVATE and we’re looking for brilliant people to help us bring both games to life. If you want to be a part of the team, you can see all open roles and apply here.