Dwarves in space? That’s the setting for Deep Rock Galactic, a game that throws these stout, ax-wielding characters into the depths of alien-infested caves to mine precious resources. Ghost Ship Games has crafted a unique mix of cooperative play, mining, and intense combat that has captured the imagination of players worldwide. In this Q&A, we chat with Ghost Ship’s CEO and co-founder, Søren Lundgaard, about the journey from early access to full launch, the challenges of cross-play, and what’s next for the game.

Ghost Ship Games: The Origin Story

Q: Søren, can you give us some background on Ghost Ship Games?

Søren Lundgaard: Ghost Ship Games was founded to create “Deep Rock Galactic.” We started the company four years ago with a team of six experienced game developers. This was our first venture as an indie studio, and we’ve grown since then, though we keep our team small and agile. The early access phase began in 2018, and it was a turning point for us. The positive feedback and collaboration with the community were key to our growth. We work closely with fans, with over 100,000 members on our Discord server helping us with everything from translations to gameplay feedback.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Development

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your team’s workflow?

Søren Lundgaard: The pandemic was a surprise, but we adapted quickly since we were already set up for remote work. The biggest challenge was timing, as we had planned to launch the full version of “Deep Rock Galactic” in May 2020. Despite the disruption, we managed to stick to our schedule, and the increase in online players during the pandemic helped us gain new fans. It was challenging, but we were lucky to be able to keep moving forward.

The Status of Cross-Play in Deep Rock Galactic

Q: Cross-play is a hot topic in gaming. How does “Deep Rock Galactic” handle cross-play?

Søren Lundgaard: Currently, “Deep Rock Galactic” supports limited cross-play. You can play between Xbox and PC if you purchased the game from the Windows 10 Store. However, cross-play with Steam or PlayStation is not available. This limitation is due to the peer-to-peer network structure of the game. For broader cross-play, we’d need more advanced networking technology, which is quite complex for a small team like ours.

Q: What about cross-progression? Can players carry their progress across platforms?

Søren Lundgaard: Cross-progression is available for Xbox and Windows 10 Store users, allowing them to switch platforms without losing progress. Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to Steam players. If you’re on Steam and switch to Xbox or Windows 10, you’ll lose your progress.

Post-Launch Plans and Future Content

Q: What does the future hold for “Deep Rock Galactic”? Are there any post-launch plans?

Søren Lundgaard: We’re committed to providing free content updates after launch. Our first big update will introduce new mission types, new enemy variations, and more biomes. We aim to expand the game’s content rather than add new systems, which already offer plenty of depth. While we’re not planning on a new class right now, we are exploring other content to keep players engaged.

Q: Is there any chance of official mod support in the future?

Søren Lundgaard: We’re in discussions with the community about mod support. Players have already started creating mods, even without official tools. We’re exploring how to make modding more accessible without complicating gameplay for others. It’s a learning process, but it’s something we’re excited about.

What’s Next for Ghost Ship Games?

Q: Are you working on other projects besides “Deep Rock Galactic”?

Søren Lundgaard: Right now, our entire focus is on “Deep Rock Galactic.” We’re discussing future projects, but nothing has been confirmed. We see a lot of potential to expand the “Deep Rock Galactic” universe, and we’re considering ideas for new games within this setting. Given the success of procedural generation in “Deep Rock Galactic,” we might explore that concept in future projects.

Final Thoughts and Thank Yous

Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

Søren Lundgaard: We owe a lot to our community for their support, feedback, and even criticism. Their passion and involvement have made “Deep Rock Galactic” what it is today. We couldn’t have done it without them. So, “Rock and Stone” to everyone who has been part of this journey!