Greg “Ghostcrawler” Street, a seasoned veteran from the realms of World of Warcraft and League of Legends, has revealed that his studio, Fantastic Pixel Castle, is set to transition away from being a first-party studio under NetEase Games. He expressed a sense of urgency, stating that if they cannot secure a publisher for their upcoming fantasy MMORPG, codenamed Ghost, “soon,” the studio may face closure.
Street, who has previously held significant roles as the lead systems designer for World of Warcraft and the lead gameplay designer for League of Legends, announced the project, Ghost, in 2023. At that time, he described it as being in the “early stages of development,” while promising an “epic new MMO.” However, the future of this project now appears uncertain.
In a recent tweet, Street shared, “I wanted to convey that Fantastic Pixel Castle’s time as a first-party studio within NetEase Games is nearing its conclusion. NetEase Games has been incredibly supportive in assisting us to find another publisher for our game. Nonetheless, considering the current market landscape, it’s challenging to secure deals for any game, particularly for projects of the MMORPG scale.”
Challenges in the Current Gaming Market
Street emphasized their commitment to finding a publisher or investor. “We’re actively encouraging our team members to seek out new opportunities while we navigate this uncertain time,” he explained. “If we don’t locate a publisher in the near future, the reality is that the likelihood of the studio closing increases, impacting the entire team, including leadership.”
On October 9, 2025, Street expressed gratitude to the MMORPG community, playtesters, and countless advisors who have provided guidance on securing funding amid the “absurdly challenging time” the industry faces. He added, “I hope everyone will one day have the chance to play Ghost.”
Street also acknowledged his team at Fantastic Pixel Castle, stating that they have developed a game they can all take pride in. He remarked that it is “the best team I have ever worked with,” citing that “the data on our team morale and performance is higher than I have ever seen.” He concluded, “Despite the obstacles, the past two years have been the most fulfilling of my career.”
The Hope for a New Publisher
As hopes linger for a potential new publisher to step in, Street isn’t mistaken about the difficulties facing the gaming market today. Recent data shows a significant amount of layoffs within major corporations like Microsoft’s gaming division, alongside multiple game cancellations that have occurred earlier this year. For instance, a new FPS title from Romero Games had its funding withdrawn in July; however, the studio later announced they had been “contacted by several publishers interested in helping us bring the game across the finish line.” This gives hope that Fantastic Pixel Castle might attract similar interest.
Street’s insights also reflect a broader perspective, noting how he observed both Riot Games and Blizzard seemingly stray from developing games with humility rather than arrogance.