Why New Blood CEO Dave Oshry Vows to Shut Down the Studio Instead of Selling Out

In an industry defined by endless acquisitions and corporate mergers, New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry is taking a refreshingly defiant stance. As the studio behind cult-classic boomer shooters like Dusk, Ultrakill, and Gloomwood celebrates its 12th anniversary, Oshry has made his philosophy clear: New Blood Interactive is not for sale. Instead of chasing endless growth or succumbing to publisher pressure, Oshry would rather shut the studio down on his own terms.

The Philosophy Behind New Blood Interactive

Oshry’s commitment to independence is rooted in a desire to maintain creative freedom and avoid the pitfalls that have claimed many legendary developers. By keeping the team small and utilizing a fully remote work model, New Blood has successfully avoided the traps of over-expansion. For Oshry, the studio’s success is tied directly to this autonomy.

• Creative Independence: Avoiding the constraints of external investor demands.
• Sustainable Growth: Focusing on quality titles rather than churning out endless, low-effort sequels.
• Remote-First Culture: Maintaining a lean, agile team that prioritizes developer well-being.

Why Selling Out Isn’t on the Table

In an era where major publishers frequently acquire beloved studios only to shutter them years later—much like the recent struggles faced by long-standing developers—Oshry views selling as a betrayal of the studio’s identity. He explicitly stated that he has no interest in seeking publisher or investor money to keep the lights on if the business model stops working.

I’m never gonna sell it. I’m never gonna give it to anybody else. It’ll be our time.

This commitment is a direct response to the current state of the gaming industry, which Oshry describes as a machine that treats creative products and labor as mere fuel for the corporate furnace. He wants to avoid the typical unhappy ending experienced by studios that get absorbed into massive conglomerates, only to be tossed aside when profit margins fluctuate.

Defining a Legacy on Their Own Terms

Looking ahead, Oshry has a clear timeline for the end of the journey. He envisions a 20-year horizon for the studio, after which he plans to simply say goodbye and walk away. The ultimate goal is to be remembered with the same fondness as the iconic studios of the 90s and early 2000s, but without the messy, corporate-driven downfall.

For fans of boomer shooters and independent gaming, this promise is both bittersweet and incredibly reassuring. In a market dominated by massive acquisitions, New Blood Interactive stands as a testament to the idea that a studio can thrive by staying small, staying independent, and knowing exactly when to call it a day.

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