Chris Wilson, PoE Co-Creator, Launches New Game Studio for Creative Freedom
▼ Summary
– Chris Wilson, co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, announced he started a new studio, Light Pattern, and is working on a new game project.
– Wilson officially left Grinding Gear Games in February 2025 but stepped down as CEO at the end of 2023 after 17 years.
– Tencent acquired an 87% stake in Grinding Gear Games in 2018, and Wilson and co-founders sold their remaining 13% in March 2024.
– After a year of retirement, Wilson founded Light Pattern to return to creative game development in a smaller, collaborative setting.
– Light Pattern’s job posting hints at Diablo II’s influence, suggesting their new project may draw inspiration from the classic ARPG.
Chris Wilson, the visionary behind Path of Exile, has embarked on a new journey by launching an independent game studio focused on creative freedom. The co-founder of Grinding Gear Games (GGG) made the surprise announcement during a recent interview with Diablo designer David Brevik, marking a fresh chapter in his career after nearly two decades at the helm of one of gaming’s most respected ARPG studios.
Official records indicate Wilson formally stepped down as a director at GGG in February 2025, though his personal website clarifies he actually left his leadership role at the end of 2023. His departure followed the sale of his remaining shares in GGG to Tencent, which had acquired a majority stake in the studio back in 2018.
For years, Wilson was the public face of Path of Exile, guiding its evolution through frequent league updates and expansions. The game’s success cemented his reputation as a leading figure in the action RPG genre. After leaving GGG, he took a year-long break, describing it as a period of relaxation, filled with travel and organizing his Magic: The Gathering collection, before the urge to create struck again.
Now, Wilson has founded Light Pattern, a small studio where he aims to recapture the collaborative spirit of Path of Exile’s early days. The team is already working on an unannounced project, though details remain tightly under wraps. Wilson hinted that the timing of his reveal, during Diablo II’s 25th-anniversary celebration, was no accident, suggesting thematic or inspirational ties to Blizzard’s iconic title.
A job listing for an Art Director at Light Pattern further fuels speculation, explicitly seeking candidates with “a deep familiarity with Diablo II,” emphasizing not just gameplay experience but an analytical understanding of its enduring design. While Wilson cautioned that the project may stay hidden for years, the studio’s direction seems poised to resonate with fans of classic ARPGs.
For now, the gaming community will have to wait patiently as Light Pattern takes shape. But if Wilson’s track record is any indication, the studio’s debut could be worth the anticipation.
(Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)
(Source: PCGAMER)
