Fireside Chat with the Fateless Founders

Ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes at one of the most exciting new game studios in development? In a special fireside chat, Fateless co-founders Simon, Dan, and Sham peeled back the curtain for a candid and hilarious conversation about the journey of building both Godforge and the Fateless studio itself. This wasn’t a scripted dev update or polished Q&A. It was raw, real, and packed with insight into the passion, pressure, and purpose that fuels the Godforge project.

Let’s dive into the highlights from this fantastic conversation and explore what makes Fateless and the game they’re crafting so unique.

From day one, Fateless wasn’t just about making Godforge it was about building a studio that could stand the test of time. As Dan put it, the five-year vision is clear: launch Godforge, support it with ongoing updates and features, and then grow the studio into something capable of launching multiple projects. They’re not chasing hundreds of employees or bloated teams—they’re chasing efficiency, creativity, and community.

The current team sits at around 25 core members, with more than 50 people involved including outsourcers. The founders made it clear: this isn’t a sprint. They’re building a long-term ecosystem designed to foster passion and innovation, with eyes already on a second game somewhere down the road.

Do the founders feel pressure to deliver? Absolutely. Sham shared some heartfelt reflections on what it was like running a studio solo in the past, and how much better it feels having a supportive trio at the top. Having co-founders who can share the weight, who can jump in when someone hits a wall, is invaluable.

That sense of shared pressure extends to the whole team. Everyone is aware of the community’s expectations, and the desire to deliver something special is front and center. As Simon said, “Expectations are always high, and we want to exceed them.”

One of the most eye-opening parts of the chat came when Simon described just how complex game development really is. Something that sounds simple like making the summoning system “feel a bit sharper” can balloon into a huge multi-person task involving technical artists, camera work, VFX, and animation teams.

It’s not just about the cost (though that’s huge too); it’s about the sheer volume of work that goes into creating something that feels good. Even something as fundamental as hero creation involves an intricate pipeline of concepting, modeling, rigging, texturing, animating, lighting, and more.

The team holds weekly community meetings, and Dan shared just how much he values comments from long-time followers especially those who’ve watched the game evolve and still see the potential. Whether the feedback is glowing or critical, the team appreciates it all. It’s about being part of a shared journey.

One of the best moments came when they were preparing a build for a showcase, and QA flagged a bunch of issues. The devs came back saying, “Those aren’t bugs, they’re missing features!” It’s a reminder that in early development, expectations and terminology can get a little… fuzzy.

Let’s be real, there’s no perfect balance when you’re building a game and a company from scratch. But the Fateless founders do make an effort. Simon carves out his weekends, Dan hits the gym five days a week, and Sham finds moments of calm early in the morning. They all recognize the importance of keeping their heads above water, even when the grind is intense.

A huge shoutout went to their families and support networks, who help make this dream possible. Without that foundation, none of this could happen.

The Fateless crew isn’t just talented they’re passionate. And the way they build their team reflects that. There’s no aggressive recruiting. People come to them, drawn in by the energy, the vision, and yes, the YouTube videos. Sham joked that one unofficial hiring criteria is: “Would I want to sit next to this person on a plane for 10 hours?”

The founders look for 10x talent, people who elevate everyone around them and bring massive value. But just as important is the vibe. If someone isn’t excited by the project, they probably aren’t a fit.

While the current focus is firmly on Godforge, fans couldn’t help but ask: what about a TCG? An MMO?

The verdict? A TCG is a definite possibility. The IP lends itself beautifully to a card-based spinoff. The MMO idea? That’s a tougher ask, think hundreds of millions in budget but never say never. The team already has other ways in mind to expand the Godforge universe, from lore-rich side adventures to cinematic storytelling.

Each founder had a different answer, and they’re all hype-worthy:

• Simon: The cinematic. Short, powerful, emotionally charged and elevated by a killer track from Serena. Absolute chills.
• Sham: The weapon system. He couldn’t say much, but the excitement was written all over his face. It’s going to be game-changing.
• Dan: The Mastery system and roguelike mode. Deep customization, exploration, discovery, and those satisfying “I did it!” moments.

When asked about their ultimate professional goals, all three founders circled around the same theme: build something that matters. They want Fateless to be known not just for Godforge, but for quality, creativity, and community. They want people to be excited when they see the Fateless name on a game. And maybe one day, help others build their own dreams too.

This fireside chat offered something rare in the world of game development—transparency, vulnerability, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you’re a long-time follower of Godforge or just discovering the project, one thing’s clear: this team is all-in. And they’re building something that could truly stand the test of time.