From Support to Spotlight: How Overwatch Studio Envar Games is Stepping Up with ‘Witchspire’

At a time when the gaming industry is dominated by massive AAA projects, the announcement of a new game from a studio previously known for its support work is a major event. During Gamescom 2025, the Stockholm-based studio Envar Games, a division of the well-known art outsourcing company Envar, revealed its first original IP: Witchspire. The game is a co-op survival and adventure title that aims to blend the whimsy of a magical world with the challenging mechanics of the survival genre. The studio, which has contributed art and assets to major titles like Overwatch 2, League of Legends, and Valorant, is now ready to step into the spotlight and build its own world from scratch. This move signals a significant shift in the company’s strategy, as it transitions from a “support studio” to a creator of its own “AA project” and a fresh IP for the market.

The reveal trailer for Witchspire debuted at the Future Games Show, showcasing a visually stunning world with a charming, hand-drawn aesthetic that has been compared by many to the art style of Studio Ghibli. The game is set to launch on PC via Steam Early Access in 2026, with a promise to involve the community in shaping its final form. This approach has become increasingly popular in the industry, as it allows developers to build a dedicated player base and gather crucial feedback before a full release.

A Magical World of Co-op and Survival

Witchspire‘s core gameplay loop centers on exploration, crafting, and combat within a world filled with magic and peril. Players take on the role of a witch or wizard, and they must survive and thrive in this mysterious new realm. The game’s key features, as outlined in the press release and on its Steam page, are designed to create a rich and rewarding co-op experience for up to four players.

• Magical Survival Mechanics: Unlike traditional survival games that focus on woodcutting and mining, Witchspire puts a magical twist on resource gathering. Players will use their spells to conjure entire forests, call down comets of ore, and summon phantom pickaxes to gather materials. This makes the mundane task of resource collection feel like a powerful, magical act.
• Creature Collection: One of the most unique aspects of the game is its creature-collection system. Players can battle and even tame dozens of wild creatures to turn them into friendly familiars. These familiars will then fight alongside you in combat or aid you with tasks in your base.
• Customization and Progression: The game promises a deep level of character customization. Players can choose a Coven at the start, which influences their starting outfit and passive boosts. As they progress, they can unlock a “cosmic Luminaries tech tree” and craft new gear, allowing them to define their own playstyle and become the spellcaster they want to be.
• Base Building with a Twist: Witchspire takes a unique approach to base building by allowing players to use “astral projection.” This feature allows them to freely place and maneuver structures, eliminating the frustration of building in a third-person perspective and making the process of designing a dream home a seamless experience.

The decision to focus on a cooperative experience is a smart move for Envar, as it plays to the studio’s strengths in creating engaging shared worlds. The game’s beautiful art style and charming premise set it apart from the more grim and gritty survival games on the market, positioning it as a fresh and inviting option for players looking for a more whimsical adventure. With the backing of a studio that has a proven track record of working on some of the biggest games in the industry, Witchspire is poised to be a name to watch when it enters Early Access next year.