Five years ago, when Mike and Amy Morhaime founded Dreamhaven, they embarked on a mission to create a sustainable support system for game studios, nurturing both their own ventures—Moonshot and Secret Door—and partnering with others. During our initial interview, Mike expressed a bold aspiration for the company: to become a guiding light for the gaming industry, offering a better approach to game development and operations that could yield exceptional results.

In the years since its inception, Dreamhaven has faced challenges alongside the broader industry, including global crises, layoffs, and studio closures. Yet, unlike many of its contemporaries, Dreamhaven remains steadfast. At The Game Awards, the company unveiled not one or two, but four games. Two are internal projects: *Sunderfolk*, a tactical RPG with couch co-op releasing on April 23, and *Wildgate*, a cooperative first-person shooter set in space. The other two games—*Lynked: Banner of the Spark* and *Mechabellum*—are external titles being published and supported by Dreamhaven. *Lynked* is an action-RPG from LA-based FuzzyBot launching its full version in May, while *Mechabellum*, a turn-based tactical auto-battler from China’s Game River, received a recent update with Dreamhaven’s assistance.

Beyond its own releases, Dreamhaven supports ten other external studios, often led by ex-AAA developers, through investments, consultancy, and fundraising. Mike Morhaime explained at GDC that the company aimed to create a supportive network for talented individuals moving between studios.

Wildgate - First Screenshots

“We wanted to create a structure that helped these studios succeed,” Morhaime said. “We aim to provide guidance and incentives to ensure they thrive.”

Discussions at GDC highlighted the ongoing industry crisis, with profit-focused decisions leading to layoffs and closures. Morhaime emphasized that innovation requires room for failure. “A certain amount of safety and experimentation is crucial,” he noted. “Our teams focus on creating the best experiences possible, which aligns with long-term success.”

Reflecting on his time at Blizzard, Morhaime stressed the importance of iterative development and giving studios autonomy. “Our central teams support the studios, fostering partnerships rather than hierarchies.”

Regarding generative AI, Morhaime acknowledged its transformative potential, though Dreamhaven’s use remains cautious, focused on internal research. He believes ignoring such advancements would be detrimental.

On the topic of the Nintendo Switch 2, Morhaime sees console transitions as both challenging and invigorating. Dreamhaven continues to support multiple platforms, including the Switch.

Finally, Morhaime expressed Dreamhaven’s ambition to become a beacon for the industry. “We need to release games that resonate with players and achieve financial success,” he stated. “Ultimately, we want Dreamhaven to represent quality and trust, ensuring players eagerly anticipate our releases.”