Order of Meta is a dynamic game development studio. Their mission? To craft immersive gaming experiences that resonate with players across platforms. As the co-founder and CEO, Alexey Sazonov has steered the company toward innovative game development, pushing boundaries and redefining player experiences.
Currently, their spotlight is on Cargo Hunters, an extraction-style PvP/PvE shooter, for which they recently raised $3.3M in a round led by GEM Capital.
Order of Meta doesn’t follow the conventional playbook. Instead, they focus on one game at a time, diving deep into its mechanics, storytelling, and gameplay. This free-to-play game promises heart-pounding action and strategic challenges. While it will eventually grace multiple platforms, the team’s initial target is mobile gamers.
Without further ado, we leave you alone with this cozy interview.
Firstly, can you introduce yourself and the Order of Meta to our followers?
Hi, I’m Alexey Sazonov, CEO and Co-Founder of Order of Meta.
Can you tell us about what fields Order of Meta specializes in?
We normally focus on one game at a time: we’re currently working on an extraction-style PvP/PvE shooter titled “Cargo Hunters.” It’s a free-to-play game for multiple platforms, although we plan to release it first for mobile.
Congratulations on securing a $3.3 million seed round for Cargo Hunters! Could you share insights into how this funding will impact the game’s development and launch?
Most of the funding will support the development team. We will also hire a few extra core members. For instance, we are now looking for a Senior Unity Developer.
What inspired the concept behind Cargo Hunters? How did you arrive at the idea of a mobile cross-platform PvPvE extraction shooter set in a post-apocalyptic Earth?
The inspiration for our venture sprouted from our personal gaming time, specifically with titles such as Day-Z and Escape from Tarkov. During a latter session, I played a lighthearted prank on studio co-founder Sergey Koziakov, suggesting he needed to carry around an empty canister and should stroll around the gas station to fill it. Several fruitless (and fuel-less) raids later, he figured out the joke, and upon realizing its impracticality in the game, Sergey decided to create his own product. Jokes aside, our collective fascination with the emerging genre fueled our desire to participate actively in the gaming revolution.
The visual style of Cargo Hunters is quite distinctive. What motivated this creative choice, and how do you think it enhances the player experience?
The global atmosphere during the COVID-19 era influenced Sergey’s decision to set our game in a dystopian, transhumanist future. Now, let’s delve into what this means for the player. Envision a world where humanity craves augmentation and a thirst for new flesh while also cherishing preserving the good old human mind. In that scenario, what could be more enticing than trading your frail, perishable meat-machine body for a robust, gleaming metal counterpart?
Given your success with Tacticool, what unique elements does Order of Meta bring to the mobile gaming landscape? How does your team differentiate itself in the mid-core and hardcore genres?
To begin with, our two games are very different beasts, and I have no intention of enticing Tacticool players to try it. The Extraction genre is a matter of personal preference; either you dislike it, or you have advanced to a stage in your gaming evolution where you appreciate the pain and pleasure. That being said, we aim to balance a casual and intense gaming experience. Our goal is not to turn it into a tedious grind but rather to position ourselves somewhere on the spectrum between mid-core and hardcore gaming.
Speaking of Tacticool, it has achieved remarkable milestones with over 30 million downloads and $75 million in revenue. What key lessons did you learn from Tacticool’s success that you’re applying to Cargo Hunters?
Playing Tacticool is an enjoyable experience, thanks to its engaging physics. One valuable lesson we’ve gleaned is that incorporating mayhem and ragdoll elements adds a tremendous amount of fun to the gameplay. With this insight in mind, we aspire to bring the same level of unpredictable excitement to our new game.
Lastly, what excites you most about Cargo Hunters, and what can players look forward to when the game launches?
While we have numerous plans in the pipeline, we prefer not to unveil or spoil the surprise for our players. After all, the product is still developing, maintaining an air of anticipation and excitement.
Thank you for this lovely interview. 😊
Thank you for the opportunity!
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