We’re thrilled to unveil NEAR Studios, our new indie game studio our debut project, Hawthorn, a co-op sandbox RPG village sim that will bring players together through immersive and cooperative play. As a team of former Bethesda Game Studios developers, including the Lead Designer of Skyrim, we’re wielding our experience in sandbox games to forge something that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing.
Bringing Players Together
At NEAR Studios, we’re passionate about making games that foster connection and cooperation. Our mission is to create games that give players the opportunity to work together toward shared goals, creating moments of joy and collaboration. We believe that in a world that sometimes feels disconnected, games can bring people together in meaningful, healing ways.
Welcome to Hawthorn
Our debut game, Hawthorn, is a new kind of co-op RPG set in a world inspired by Victorian-era European fairytales and the spirit of 80s and 90s anthropomorphic animal adventure stories. In Hawthorn, you’ll step into a fantasy world bigger than you are, where woodland animals and fairy creatures coexist in a delicate balance. You’ll build a village in a mysteriously abandoned valley, develop relationships with NPCs, solve the challenges of the passing seasons, and discover your own journey in a sandbox rich with backstory.
Veteran Team, Indie Spirit
NEAR Studios was founded by Heather Cerlan, our CEO and Creative Director, and Jason Richardson, our Game Director and Loremaster. Our team includes other industry veterans who have worked on some of the biggest franchises in gaming including Mass Effect, Dragon Age, BioShock, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Starfield, The Last of Us, Uncharted, League of Legends, Ultima Online, and more. In leaving behind the AAA grind, we’ve gained unmatched creative freedom and an incredible opportunity to connect with players early on.
We’re currently bootstrapping Hawthorn, which is still in pre-production, and our plan is to grow this game, both its world and its features, over time. This is a project we are incredibly passionate about, and we can’t wait to develop it alongside our community.
Come With Us
So, we’re inviting you to join us on the journey of building Hawthorn! We want our community to be part of the process—sharing in both the triumphs and challenges that come with creating a game this way. We’re committed to transparency, and we look forward to giving you insight into our development process. Making games is incredibly complex, and we think it’s important to bring you along for the ride. Together, we’ll create something truly special.
Facing Industry Challenges, Embracing the Future
We’re aware of the current challenges in the gaming industry, from studio closures to funding shortages. But we’re incredibly grateful for our dedicated team, who share our vision and passion for connecting with fans and bringing Hawthorn to life. We believe there’s a bright future for smaller studios like ours, where talented developers can work closely with a tight-knit community to innovate. We also believe that indie studios have a lot to teach the AAA industry about the power of creative freedom, developer empowerment, and player involvement.
Playing Together
“Jason and I came together under NEAR Studios because we realized we wanted to make the same kind of game, for the same audience, for the same reason. The inspiration for the type of games we are making came from our personal experiences playing co-op games with our friends and family. Initially, it started with the idea of creating a world where gaming couples could play together, and each meet their unique needs within their individual play style.”
– Heather Cerlan
Hawthorn blends the charm of cozy games with the depth of core RPGs, action games, and a dash of life sim—all designed so that no one has to sacrifice their personal enjoyment for the sake of playing together. While you can certainly solo Hawthorn, we’re focused on creating approachable systems that encourage collaboration—both in and out of the game.
“In Hawthorn, everything you do, whether crafting, building, or adventuring, is centered around a living village of NPCs and your co-op friends.”
– Jason Richardson
As our name suggests, NEAR Studios is about making connections. Like in old adventure stories, where friends set out on a wild journey together, let’s embark now on the quest of a lifetime!