The creative mind behind some of gaming's most celebrated RPGs is embarking on an ambitious new venture that promises to redefine the fantasy genre. Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, co-director of both The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077, has revealed exciting details about his studio's debut title, The Blood of Dawnwalker, scheduled for release in 2026.
From Witcher to Vampire Hunter
Rather than feeling intimidated by following up modern classics, Tomaszkiewicz appears remarkably composed about the challenge. The founder and CEO of Rebel Wolves describes the new project as a natural progression rather than a departure from his previous work.
"It's the continuation of something we started with our colleagues before," Tomaszkiewicz explains. "We're figuring out our own idea how to develop our own area in the video game RPG genre."
While initial glances might suggest similarities to The Witcher 3, particularly with its dark fantasy aesthetic, The Blood of Dawnwalker promises significant innovations. The game features a unique day-night system where players tackle quests differently depending on the time, with decisions carrying meaningful consequences throughout the experience.
A Protagonist Divided
The game's main character, Coen, represents one of its most innovative elements. Hailing from the Carpathian Mountains, Coen previously worked in silver mines, leaving him with a lung illness and silver particles within his body.
"The antagonist wants to change him into a vampire, but it's not succeeded because he has the silver in him," Tomaszkiewicz reveals. This incomplete transformation creates two distinct gameplay loops - by day, Coen retains his human form, while at night he gains vampire abilities while the silver prevents full transformation.
This duality extends beyond mere cosmetic changes. Players will need to master both forms to progress effectively through the game's challenges. "You need to create the gameplay loops that are different, which delivers a different experience for the players," the director emphasises.
Building a New World
Developing the game's extensive lore took approximately five months, with narrative director Jakub Szamalek leading the creative process. Tomaszkiewicz notes that unlike their work on The Witcher, which required adherence to existing book lore, The Blood of Dawnwalker offered complete creative freedom.
"We could shape this lore and this world for our needs and for the needs of our hero," he says, highlighting the excitement of building something entirely new rather than adapting existing material.
The development team is leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to bring their vision to life. Tomaszkiewicz acknowledges that while creating their own engine would be possible - as demonstrated with The Witcher 2's Red Engine - using established technology allows for more efficient development, particularly important for a smaller studio like Rebel Wolves.
Embracing Community Feedback
Rebel Wolves has adopted an unusually transparent development approach, regularly sharing progress and soliciting player feedback. "The player feedback is really important for us and we're reading everything," Tomaszkiewicz confirms.
This openness stems from a desire to avoid disappointing players upon release. "We want to avoid people feeling cheated or whatever," he states. "We're showing what the game looks like, how you play this game, and this is what we will deliver."
As development continues toward the planned 2026 release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, Tomaszkiewicz reflects on his previous work's legacy while looking forward to surprising players with The Blood of Dawnwalker's unique combination of innovative mechanics and compelling storytelling.
