Wonderstorm

Wonderstorm is a media studio that concurrently develops video games and television shows, focusing on building expansive entertainment franchises. Founded in 2016 by Aaron Ehasz, Justin Richmond, and Justin Santistevan, the company was established by former creative leaders from Riot Games with the goal of combining compelling storytelling with engaging gameplay. Ehasz has a background as the head writer for "Avatar: The Last Airbender," while Richmond served as the game director for the "Uncharted" series.

The company's flagship franchise is "The Dragon Prince," an Emmy Award-winning animated series that premiered on Netflix in 2018. The series is produced in partnership with animation studio Bardel Entertainment and has been renewed for a full seven-season arc. In conjunction with the series, Wonderstorm developed "The Dragon Prince: Xadia," a cooperative action RPG for mobile devices released on Netflix Games in July 2024. This transmedia approach allows the studio to build a cohesive world experienced through both linear narrative and interactive gameplay.

Wonderstorm's business model involves creating intellectual property and distributing it through partnerships, primarily with Netflix for its series and games. The studio also expands its franchises through other media, including graphic novels and tabletop role-playing games. Wonderstorm has announced plans for a new animated series, "The Dragon King," a spin-off from "The Dragon Prince," which will be funded in part through a Kickstarter campaign. The studio is also developing another IP called "Bonders," which is being created as both a show and a game.

Keywords: transmedia, animated series, video game development, fantasy franchise, storytelling, intellectual property, role-playing games, The Dragon Prince, mobile gaming, entertainment studio