Middlesbrough’s Double Eleven celebrates a significant milestone with the release of its first original game, Blindfire.
- Blindfire is an online multiplayer, first-person shooter now available on Xbox and PC, with a PS5 release planned later.
- The game offers a unique take on arena shooters, emphasizing stealth, sound, and strategy.
- Double Eleven has historically focused on co-development with other studios, making Blindfire a notable shift towards originality.
- The team has expanded to 440 employees, reflecting the company’s ongoing growth and ambition.
Blindfire, the inaugural original IP from Middlesbrough’s renowned game developer Double Eleven, marks a seminal moment for the studio as it steps into the realm of independent game creation. The game is currently accessible on Xbox and PC, with a PlayStation 5 version on the horizon, underscoring the company’s commitment to broad platform availability.
The creation of Blindfire represents a departure from Double Eleven’s traditional focus on co-development and expansion of existing titles. Historically known for their collaborative work on popular games such as Minecraft Dungeons, Prison Architect, and Fallout 76, the studio now ventures into original content with this innovative shooter.
Mark South, COO of Double Eleven, articulates this project as a reflection of the team’s inherent creativity and drive. ‘The release of Blindfire is a proud moment for us at Double Eleven. While we’ve built a strong reputation through publishing and co-development with other studios, expanding existing titles and bringing beloved titles to new platforms, Blindfire represents something truly our own—a further reflection of the creativity, talent, and ambition within our team across all of our projects,’ he stated.
The game offers a distinctive twist on the arena shooter genre by introducing players to pitch-dark environments where stealth, sound, and strategy become pivotal for survival. Dynamic arenas laden with traps and the game’s neon-soaked, blacklight-infused art style augment the intensity and visual appeal of combat scenarios.
Currently in its early access phase, Blindfire is set to evolve continuously through community-driven updates. These updates will bring new features, weapons, and abilities, all influenced by player feedback, promoting an interactive development process with its audience.
In tandem with this major release, Double Eleven’s growth is evident as they settle into new headquarters and boost their workforce to 440 employees. This expansion not only speaks to the success of their existing projects but also highlights their forward-thinking strategy and ambition to innovate within the gaming industry.
Double Eleven’s release of Blindfire marks a bold step into original game design, enhancing its legacy of creativity and expertise.
