**Unveiling Project Windless: Patrik Méthé’s Daring New Path in Game Development**
Patrik Méthé, a seasoned figure in the gaming sector with more than ten years at Ubisoft, has embraced the position of creative director for Krafton Montréal’s forthcoming action RPG, *Project Windless*. Renowned for his contributions to beloved franchises like *Far Cry*, *Rainbow Six*, and *Splinter Cell*, Méthé’s newest venture showcases an intriguing twist: players will set off on a quest as a formidable, warlike rooster. This surprising choice of hero is inspired by Lee Youngdo’s fantasy series, *The Bird That Drinks Tears*, which *Project Windless* adapts.
In a recent discussion with *PC Gamer*, Méthé elaborated on the reasoning behind selecting a rooster as the main character. Notably, throughout the recruitment process, every candidate expressed a wish to embody this distinctive protagonist, showing considerable excitement for the character. Méthé recalled, “When candidates were leaving, they would say, ‘I hope to hear from you, but one thing is certain, I want to play that character.’ All of them.” This agreement among potential team members motivated the developers to pursue the idea.
The release of the *Project Windless* trailer during Sony’s State of Play on February 13 served to affirm the team’s creative choice. Méthé acknowledged the varied reactions it elicited, mentioning, “We anticipated that the hero would elicit shock… but I was taken aback by how many people reacted with, ‘What the f—huh?,’ and then quickly said, ‘I’m in,’ before three-quarters of the trailer had even finished.” This suggests that while the concept is unorthodox, it could engage and captivate players.
The development environment at Ubisoft has evolved dramatically in recent years, as noted by Alex Hutchinson, another past creative director at the studio. In his observations, Hutchinson noted Ubisoft’s increasing hesitation to explore new ideas, resulting in a drain of talent. Reflecting on the studio’s trend of sequel-centric projects, he mentioned that many ambitious ideas were suppressed during his time. This pattern appears to have inspired numerous former Ubisoft employees—including Méthé—to pursue innovative projects beyond the company.
Shifting from Ubisoft to Krafton Montréal, Méthé views his role in *Project Windless* as a unique chance to create something original, free from previous sequels or established franchises. He remarked, “It’s something that people might take for granted, but with my extensive career, I understand it’s a rare moment to bring something new to life.” This innovative approach enables him and his team to build a distinctive universe that embodies creativity.
As *Project Windless* nears its launch, many are eager to witness how the combination of an unconventional protagonist and a richly crafted fantasy realm unfolds, along with how it will challenge traditional narrative and character tropes in gaming. Patrik Méthé’s transition from developing well-known franchises to spearheading a project focused on an anthropomorphic rooster signifies a bold leap into unexplored creative realms, paving the way for players to engage with a game that celebrates originality and imagination.
