Evil Empire to head new Castlevania project after Dead Cells crossover
Evil Empire, the indie studio known for collaborative development work, will helm the new Castlevania title Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse in partnership with Konami, according to recent reporting.
The announcement follows a creative relationship between Motion Twin and Evil Empire tied to the roguelike Dead Cells, and comes amid renewed interest in legacy Konami properties.
Castlevania is one of Konami’s longest-running franchises, first debuting in 1986.
Dead Cells, developed by Motion Twin, launched in 2018 and established itself as a high-profile indie success across PC and consoles.
That existing working relationship provided the footing for the teams to propose a Castlevania-themed collaboration to Konami.
A Motion Twin and Evil Empire executive, Benjamin Laulan, described the path from idea to green light as unexpectedly positive.
Laulan said he initially feared the concept was too ambitious and that Konami would decline.
He explained that the full expansion only came about after Konami first asked if the teams could create a Castlevania-themed cosmetic skin for Dead Cells.
When Konami then proposed expanding the collaboration, the studio accepted and moved forward with plans for a dedicated Castlevania title.
Laulan added that the opportunity left him excited and that sometimes simply asking opens doors.
What is verified
- Castlevania is a Konami-owned franchise that began in 1986.
- Dead Cells was developed by Motion Twin and released in 2018, earning attention as a standout indie title across platforms.
- Evil Empire has worked alongside Motion Twin on Dead Cells-related content prior to the Castlevania project, establishing the collaborative relationship cited in announcements.
What to watch next
Konami’s handling of the Castlevania IP in recent years has included remasters, collections, and collaborations.
Fans and industry observers will be looking for official details on platforms, release timing, and whether the new title will appear on Nintendo Switch, receive a reveal during a Nintendo Direct, or be made available via eShop.
Konami and the involved studios are expected to share concrete release and platform information through formal channels when ready.
For now, the confirmed takeaway is that Evil Empire will lead Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse following its collaborative work with Motion Twin on Dead Cells content, and that studio executives have characterized the approval process as unexpectedly affirmative once the initial crossover proposal was accepted.
Evil Empire, the indie studio known for collaborative development work, will helm the new Castlevania title Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse in partnership with Konami, according to recent reporting.
The announcement follows a creative relationship between Motion Twin and Evil Empire tied to the roguelike Dead Cells, and comes amid renewed interest in legacy Konami properties.
Castlevania is one of Konami’s longest-running franchises, first debuting in 1986.
Dead Cells, developed by Motion Twin, launched in 2018 and established itself as a high-profile indie success across PC and consoles.
That existing working relationship provided the footing for the teams to propose a Castlevania-themed collaboration to Konami.
A Motion Twin and Evil Empire executive, Benjamin Laulan, described the path from idea to green light as unexpectedly positive.
Laulan said he initially feared the concept was too ambitious and that Konami would decline.
He explained that the full expansion only came about after Konami first asked if the teams could create a Castlevania-themed cosmetic skin for Dead Cells.
When Konami then proposed expanding the collaboration, the studio accepted and moved forward with plans for a dedicated Castlevania title.
Laulan added that the opportunity left him excited and that sometimes simply asking opens doors.
What is verified
- Castlevania is a Konami-owned franchise that began in 1986.
- Dead Cells was developed by Motion Twin and released in 2018, earning attention as a standout indie title across platforms.
- Evil Empire has worked alongside Motion Twin on Dead Cells-related content prior to the Castlevania project, establishing the collaborative relationship cited in announcements.
What to watch next
Konami’s handling of the Castlevania IP in recent years has included remasters, collections, and collaborations.
Fans and industry observers will be looking for official details on platforms, release timing, and whether the new title will appear on Nintendo Switch, receive a reveal during a Nintendo Direct, or be made available via eShop.
Konami and the involved studios are expected to share concrete release and platform information through formal channels when ready.
For now, the confirmed takeaway is that Evil Empire will lead Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse following its collaborative work with Motion Twin on Dead Cells content, and that studio executives have characterized the approval process as unexpectedly affirmative once the initial crossover proposal was accepted.