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'{{short description|American video game developer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Campo Santo Productions LLC | logo = Campo Santo.svg | logo_alt = In a painted and [[Jackson Pollock]]-like way, the words "Campo Santo" appear capitalized and formatted into two rows. | type = [[Subsidiary]] | industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] | founded = {{Start date and age|2013|09|18}} in [[San Francisco]], US | founders = {{Unbulleted list|[[Sean Vanaman]]|[[Jake Rodkin]]|Nels Anderson|[[Olly Moss]]}} | hq_location_city = [[Bellevue, Washington]] | hq_location_country = US | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Sean Vanaman|Jake Rodkin}} | products = ''[[Firewatch]]'' | num_employees = 12<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.camposanto.com/post/173170027579/campo-santo-news |title=Campo Santo News |website=Campo Santo |access-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-date=April 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422010115/http://blog.camposanto.com/post/173170027579/campo-santo-news |url-status=live }}</ref> | num_employees_year = 2018 | parent = [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] (2018–present) | website = {{URL|https://www.camposanto.com/|camposanto.com}} }} '''Campo Santo Productions LLC''' is an American [[video game developer]] based in [[Bellevue, Washington]]. Founded in September 2013 by [[Sean Vanaman]], [[Jake Rodkin]], Nels Anderson, and [[Olly Moss]], the studio is best known for its debut game released in 2016, ''[[Firewatch]]''. The company was acquired by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] in April 2018. == History == [[Sean Vanaman]] and [[Jake Rodkin]] were both at [[Telltale Games]] as co-writers on the 2012 game ''[[The Walking Dead (video game)|The Walking Dead]]'', which was considered Telltale's first turn into a more narrative type of episodic adventure game. The game was a critical success, and while other projects came along, Vanaman started to become too comfortable with his role at Telltale, and felt that he would be more motivated if there was more discomfort or risk in his duties.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://www.redbull.com/en/games/stories/1331773558277/firewatch-interview-with-campo-santo |title=Firewatch interview with Campo Santo |last=Dreyer |first=Pete |date=February 3, 2016 |website=[[Red Bull GmbH|Red Bull]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920091901/http://www.redbull.com/en/games/stories/1331773558277/firewatch-interview-with-campo-santo |url-status=live }}</ref> After talking about the idea with Rodkin, the two left the company and co-founded Campo Santo on September 18, 2013, joined by ''[[Mark of the Ninja]]'' designer Nels Anderson and [[Graphic designer|graphic artist]] [[Olly Moss]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/24/17896012/telltale-games-the-walking-dead-storytelling-gaming | title = Remembering Telltale Games | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = September 24, 2018 | access-date = September 24, 2018 | work = [[The Verge]] | archive-date = December 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212052439/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/24/17896012/telltale-games-the-walking-dead-storytelling-gaming | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/09/19/campo-santo-studio-formed-by-former-telltale-games-klei-develop/ |title=Campo Santo studio formed by former Telltale Games, Klei developers |last=Seszek |first=Mike |date=September 19, 2013 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222954/https://www.engadget.com/2013/09/19/campo-santo-studio-formed-by-former-telltale-games-klei-develop/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Environment artist [[Jane Ng]] and designer and composer [[Chris Remo]], who had also worked with Vanaman and Rodkin on the [[Idle Thumbs]] podcast, soon joined the team as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/02/07/chris-remo-leaves-double-fine-to-join-startup-dev-campo-santo/ |title=Chris Remo leaves Double Fine to join startup Campo Santo |last=Kubba |first=Sinan |date=February 7, 2014 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140735/https://www.engadget.com/2014/02/07/chris-remo-leaves-double-fine-to-join-startup-dev-campo-santo/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://usesthis.com/interviews/jane.ng/ |title=Jane Ng |last=Ng |first=Jane |date=February 5, 2015 |website=Uses This |access-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020135645/https://usesthis.com/interviews/jane.ng/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, they announced [[Panic (company)|Panic]] would back their debut project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://panic.com/blog/firewatch-one-month-later/ |title=Panic Blog » Firewatch: One Month Later |last=Sasser |first=Cabel |date=March 18, 2016 |website=[[Panic (company)|Panic]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011135831/https://panic.com/blog/firewatch-one-month-later/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After a painting by Moss,<ref name="Polygon, 2014-03-122">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/3/12/8190441/before-firewatch-was-a-3d-world-it-was-a-painting |title=Before Firewatch was a 3D world, it was a painting |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=March 12, 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215215629/http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/3/12/8190441/before-firewatch-was-a-3d-world-it-was-a-painting |url-status=live }}</ref> Ng adapted the painting's aesthetic style into a 3D environment<ref name="Polygon, 2014-03-122" /> with the color and inspiration drawn from both [[New Deal]] advertisements and icons from the [[National Park Service]]<ref name="Ng, Jane">{{cite web |url=http://blog.camposanto.com/post/100680711679/i-asked-twitter-if-anyone-had-questions-about-the |title=Jane Ng Q&A Part 2 |date=October 22, 2014 |author=Ng, Jane |website=Campo Santo |access-date=March 12, 2015 |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801132816/https://blog.camposanto.com/post/100680711679/i-asked-twitter-if-anyone-had-questions-about-the |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as a camping trip in [[Yellowstone National Park]] in which the team visited a preserved [[fire lookout tower]] {{convert|2|mi|spell=in}} from the campsite.<ref name="Ng, Jane" /> Development eventually led to the announcement of ''[[Firewatch]]'' in March 2014, with release originally slated for 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/13/5505422/firewatch-campo-santo-game |title=Firewatch is Campo Santo's first game |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=March 13, 2014 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120065600/http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/13/5505422/firewatch-campo-santo-game |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2014, a [[game demo]] of ''Firewatch'' was released at [[PAX (event)|PAX West]], revealing the overall plotline and story of a [[fire lookout]] named Henry in the [[Shoshone National Forest]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/first-person-mystery-story-firewatch-revealed-by-campo-santo-at-pax/ |title=First-person mystery story Firewatch revealed by Campo Santo at PAX |last=Birnbaum |first=Ian |date=August 30, 2013 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012104036/http://www.pcgamer.com/first-person-mystery-story-firewatch-revealed-by-campo-santo-at-pax/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/02/pax-2016-firewatch-for-xbox-one-release-date-announced |title=PAX 2016: Firewatch for Xbox One Release Date Announced |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=September 2, 2016 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905181823/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/02/pax-2016-firewatch-for-xbox-one-release-date-announced? |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was released for [[Windows]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[OS X|macOS]], [[Linux]], and [[Xbox One]] in late 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/09/05/indie-hit-firewatch-is-coming-to-xbox-one-this-month/ |title=Indie hit Firewatch is coming to Xbox One this month |last=Sherif |first=Saed |date=September 5, 2016 |website=[[VG247]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005105029/https://www.vg247.com/2016/09/05/indie-hit-firewatch-is-coming-to-xbox-one-this-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://killscreen.com/articles/want-firewatch-getting-two-new-game-modes-soon/ |title=Want more Firewatch? It's getting two new modes soon |last=Hossam |first=Mostafa |date=September 6, 2016 |website=[[Kill Screen]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908224211/https://killscreen.com/articles/want-firewatch-getting-two-new-game-modes-soon/ |archive-date=September 8, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game received positive reviews from critics, and has been nominatively known alongside other "walking simulators".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/02/firewatch-and-the-rise-of-the-walking-simulator/462324/ |title=Review: Campo Santo's Hit Indie Video Game Firewatch Channels The Simplicity Of Minecraft, Dear Esther, and Gone Home |last=Sims |first=David |date=February 11, 2016 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213084600/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/02/firewatch-and-the-rise-of-the-walking-simulator/462324/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The original score to ''Firewatch'' by [[Chris Remo]] was released digitally alongside the game, and received a vinyl release later in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blipblop.net/the-firewatch-score-is-getting-released-on-vinyl/ |title=The Firewatch Score is Getting Released On Vinyl |website=[[Blip Blop]] |date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020190720/https://blipblop.net/the-firewatch-score-is-getting-released-on-vinyl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2016, Vanaman stated that Campo Santo's next game would not be a sequel to ''Firewatch''.<ref name=":1" /> In September 2016, both Campo Santo and [[Good Universe]] issued a partnership to produce a [[feature film]] adaptation of ''Firewatch'' and other content.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/campo-santo-good-universe-deal/ |title=Campo Santo, Good Universe Team for ''Firewatch'' Film and More |last=Muncy |first=Jake |date=September 26, 2016 |website=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142237/https://www.wired.com/2016/09/campo-santo-good-universe-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2016, the company stated that the game would begin a limited-run physical release towards the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/11/16/13655942/firewatch-physical-release-limited-edition-ps4 |title=Firewatch getting limited-edition physical release this year |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=November 16, 2016 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201211259/http://www.polygon.com/2016/11/16/13655942/firewatch-physical-release-limited-edition-ps4 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, it was announced that ''Firewatch'' had sold over a million copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leack |first=Jonathan |title=Firewatch Burns Down One Million Sales Milestone |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/firewatch-burns-down-one-million-sales-milestone-38825 |website=[[Game Revolution]] |date=January 3, 2017 |access-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109124859/http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/firewatch-burns-down-one-million-sales-milestone-38825 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/04/firewatch-passes-1-million-sales |title=Firewatch Passes 1 Million Sales |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=January 4, 2017 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019014425/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/04/firewatch-passes-1-million-sales |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2016, [[Ford Motor Company]] used an image that closely resembled [[Promotion (marketing)|promotional art]] from ''Firewatch'', which caused controversy from both Panic, Vanaman and others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/95540/ford-copies-firewatch-official-art-for-freedom-sales-event-promotion |title=Ford copies Firewatch official art for Freedom Sales Event promotion |last=Daniel |first=Perez |date=June 27, 2016 |website=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902175345/http://www.shacknews.com/article/95540/ford-copies-firewatch-official-art-for-freedom-sales-event-promotion |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Quirk Auto Dealers issued an apology, stating that Ford was not involved within the advertisement planning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/27/12045166/ford-firewatch-sale |title=Ford uses Firewatch visuals for sales event |last=Ramos |first=Jeff |date=June 28, 2016 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=September 6, 2016 |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901091801/http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/27/12045166/ford-firewatch-sale |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2017, [[Sean Vanaman]] tweeted that he would be issuing a [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA) takedown against the streamer [[PewDiePie]] in response to him using a racist insult while streaming ''[[PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vanaman |first=Sean |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/vanaman/status/906983575337107456 |date=September 10, 2017 |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914060609/https://twitter.com/vanaman/status/906983575337107456 |url-status=live }}</ref> The move resulted in a backlash from the gaming community, and ''Firewatch'' was [[Review bomb|"review-bombed"]] on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Firewatch is getting review-bombed on Steam |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/firewatch-is-getting-review-bombed-on-steam/ |date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913032727/http://www.pcgamer.com/firewatch-is-getting-review-bombed-on-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Ars Technica]]'' noted that the company previously stated on their website that they gave open permission to stream and monetize videos made while playing the game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Timothy B. |title=Here's what the law says about PewDiePie's fight with Campo Santo |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/09/heres-what-the-law-says-about-pewdiepies-fight-with-campo-santo/ |access-date=September 20, 2017 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |date=September 12, 2017 |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919233707/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/09/heres-what-the-law-says-about-pewdiepies-fight-with-campo-santo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 21, 2018, Campo Santo announced that they had been acquired by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] and would subsequently move to Valve's [[Bellevue, Washington]] headquarters and continuing ''In the Valley of Gods'' as a Valve game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/21/17266690/valve-campo-santo-firewatch-steam |title=Valve acquires Firewatch developer, Campo Santo |first=Julia |last=Alexander |date=April 21, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203225838/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/21/17266690/valve-campo-santo-firewatch-steam |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Vanaman and Rodkin, after the success of ''Firewatch'', they started internal discussions of where they wanted to take their company. These discussions continued informally with third parties, including Valve's Robin Walker, Erik Johnson and Scott Lynch. These Valve employees suggested that Campo Santo could retain its own direction while being wholly within Valve, yet still draw from Valve's knowledge and expertise. Vanaman and Rodkin discussed this more formally with Valve, ultimately leading to the acquisition.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/04/how-campo-santoas-move-to-valve-does-and-doesnat-affect-in-the-valley-of-gods | title = How Campo Santo's Move to Valve Does, and Doesn't, Affect In the Valley of Gods | first = Jonathon | last = Dornbush | date = May 4, 2018 | access-date = May 4, 2018 | work = [[IGN]] | archive-date = May 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180504213315/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/04/how-campo-santoas-move-to-valve-does-and-doesnat-affect-in-the-valley-of-gods | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/05/09/exclusive-campo-santo-talk-to-us-about-moving-to-valve/ | title = Exclusive: Campo Santo talk to us about moving to Valve | first = John | last = Walker | date = May 9, 2018 | access-date = May 9, 2018 | work = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | archive-date = November 8, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108012735/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/05/09/exclusive-campo-santo-talk-to-us-about-moving-to-valve/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Development on ''In The Valley of Gods'' was put on hold in July 2019, partially due to head writer Sean Vanaman moving to the writing team for ''[[Half-Life: Alyx]]'', which had not been announced to the public at the time.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Keighley |first1=Geoff |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx |date=July 2020 |publisher=Steam}}</ref> In November 2019, it was noted by journalists that Claire Hummel, Jane Ng, and Rodkin had removed ''In the Valley of Gods'' from their [[Twitter]] profile descriptions. The game also disappeared from Campo Santo's website and the original announcement trailer was made private on YouTube, though the website and its [[Steam (service)|Steam]] profile page were still available.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Firewatch fans are worried that In the Valley of Gods has been canceled |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/firewatch-fans-are-worried-that-in-the-valley-of-gods-has-been-canceled/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120134235/https://www.pcgamer.com/firewatch-fans-are-worried-that-in-the-valley-of-gods-has-been-canceled/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later revealed by Rodkin that the game was put on hold as he and the other designers of the game had been busy working on other projects at Valve, such as ''[[Half-Life: Alyx]]'', ''[[Dota Underlords]]'', and [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grayson |first1=Nathan |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Half-Life: Alyx Takes Place Between Half-Life 1 And Half-Life 2 [Update] |url=https://kotaku.com/half-life-alyx-takes-place-between-half-life-1-and-hal-1839979794 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122024858/https://kotaku.com/half-life-alyx-takes-place-between-half-life-1-and-hal-1839979794 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="finalhours alyx">{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9K0eJEmMEw | title = The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx | date = November 21, 2019 | access-date = November 21, 2019 | first = Geoff | last = Keighley | author-link = Geoff Keighley | via = [[YouTube]] | archive-date = November 21, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191121191644/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9K0eJEmMEw | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/3/20994257/valve-in-the-valley-of-gods-campo-santo-half-life-alyx | title = Firewatch team's next game 'on hold' as it works on other Valve projects | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = December 3, 2019 | access-date = December 3, 2019 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = December 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191203224806/https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/3/20994257/valve-in-the-valley-of-gods-campo-santo-half-life-alyx | url-status = live }}</ref> == Games == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Publisher(s) ! Platform(s) ! Notes |- | 2016 | ''[[Firewatch]]'' | [[Panic Inc.]], Campo Santo | [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[Nintendo Switch]] | |- | TBA | ''In the Valley of Gods'' | Campo Santo | Windows, macOS, Linux | Development on hold since 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2019-12-03 |title=In the Valley of Gods 'on hold' indefinitely |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/in-the-valley-of-the-gods-on-hold-indefinitely |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226125851/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/in-the-valley-of-the-gods-on-hold-indefinitely |url-status=live }}</ref> |} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{Official website|https://www.camposanto.com/}} {{Valve}} [[Category:2013 establishments in California]] [[Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions]] [[Category:American companies established in 2013]] [[Category:Companies based in Bellevue, Washington]] [[Category:Valve Corporation]] [[Category:Video game companies established in 2013]] [[Category:Video game companies of the United States]] [[Category:Video game development companies]]'