Filipino developer Silvestre opens fantasy-focused studio: Ferryman

Filipino indie developer Bari Silvestre, the man behind Keybol Games and the critically lauded Pretentious Game has informed Games in Asia that he intends to launch a new studio later this year.

Named Ferryman, it will focus on developing games in the fantasy genre, with Silvestre having chosen the name because he intends to “take gamers to another world”.

Unlike Keybol Games, which focused on casual gaming for mobile and PC, Ferryman will instead be aiming for gamers on mobile and PC, and in the spirit of this its debut title will be a metroidvania. Silvestre describes Ferryman’s debut, Belial: Ars Demonia, as being “the game [he] always wanted to make,” and defines it as his homage to the “golden age of gaming.”

[Logo: Belial: Ars Demonia]

Silvestre has gained a reputation in Asia for his commitment to both the indie community and for his formidable work ethic. He has spoken at Casual Connect and won international acclaim with Prententious Game, a poignant musing on love and life in an ultra-minimalistic style. The self-taught developer and producer of around 100 games is certainly one to watch, and the Ferryman announcement should attract some attention from Asia’s indie community.

Ferryman will not be a one-man-band like Keybol was, but will incorporate the talents of musician Aoki Kane, Game Designer Luicel, and artists Gio Van and Mojike as well. With a strong team behind him, Silvestre hopes that the Belial franchise will be a success, and is already planning DLC and sequels. Silvestre plans to personally finance the studio and is banking on its success, so there’s little doubt that he will be throwing himself whole-heartedly into the project.

[Art: Belial: Ars Demonia character]

However it may prove challenging, as the Metroidvania genre is not a forgiving one. and is an ambitious first project for any company, let alone a newly-formed one. That being said, with Silvestre at the helm, supported by experts in their field, Belial: Ars Demonia just rocketed to the top of my games-to-watch list.

Ferryman studios will officially open in October or November this year, and Belial: Ars Demonia is expected some time in 2015. You can check out their Facebook page here