Devs behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters are done with big shooters after getting burned by Embracer, so their next game is a Balatro-like twist on Scrabble—and you can try the demo now
PC Gamer
by Fraser Brown February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Legendary game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak, known for creating iconic first-person shooters like *GoldenEye*, *Perfect Dark*, and *TimeSplitters*, have shifted gears from big-budget FPS projects to a new creative direction. After facing challenges with Embracer Group, including the closure of their studio and emotional setbacks, they founded MindFuel Games and are now developing *Beyond Words*, a roguelike word game inspired by Scrabble and Balatro. This marks a significant pivot away from large-scale shooters, driven by their desire for smaller, more hands-on projects that offer greater creative control.
Ellis and Doak’s journey includes a tumultuous history with Free Radical Design, which was acquired and eventually shut down by Embracer. The experience left them wary of the risks associated with big studios, including uncertain funding and team stability. Their new venture reflects their preference for working in smaller teams, allowing for more innovation and personal involvement. *Beyond Words* is a strategic word-based game where players interact with board elements to create flexible, evolving strategies.
The developers emphasize that *Beyond Words* offers a fresh approach to roguelikes by reducing reliance on random number generation and instead focusing on player-driven strategy. Ellis highlights the game’s open-ended gameplay
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/24/2026