A developer originally working from his bedroom just launched a new Devil May Cry inspired action game published by Ubisoft — 'I didn't really expect it because I was just kind of dabbling around'

Morbid Metal comes after nine years of development

10 Apr 2026, 10:57 by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/dashiell-wood · TechRadar

News By Dashiell Wood published 10 April 2026

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

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Roguelike action game Morbid Metal launched earlier this week after nine years of development
Published by Ubisoft, the game started life as a university project by Felix Schade
"We slowly but surely grew into the 11 developer team we are now," he explained

Screen Juice launched the Ubisoft-published roguelike action game Morbid Metal earlier this week as the culmination of nine years of work led by developer Felix Schade.

Speaking to TechRadar Gaming at a recent event, Schade detailed the game's origins as a university project and the story of how he founded a now 11-person studio on the long road to release.

"It all started when I was in university, I was studying game design," he began. "It was a semester where we could do our own project or an internship, and I always knew that I wanted to eventually start my own studio if possible, but I was still young and had never made a full game."

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At the time, he set out to make "a small game" to start his career and serve as a portfolio piece to entice potential employers.

Although the final release has a gritty sci-fi art direction, Schade's original vision was very different. "I came up with this idea that was based on what I was preparing for the application to the university, which was kind of like an origami-themed game where you can fold your piece of paper into different origami figurines, each with their own unique skills," he said.

"It was very slow-paced compared to what Morbid Metal is now."

The shape-shifting system remains a core mechanic in the current release, but was refined over a number of years alongside a total transformation in the overall art direction.

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