Developer
Learn about Weird Beluga — the Spanish indie studio behind Duskfade. PlayStation Talents winners, anti-AI philosophy, Spanish cultural inspirations, and UE5 techniques
Introduction
Weird Beluga is a Spanish indie studio founded in 2019 by university friends who won Best Game and Best Art at PlayStation Talents 2019 with their debut project Clid the Snail. Duskfade represents their evolution from a smaller-scale shooter to a full 3D action-platformer built in Unreal Engine 5, drawing on Spanish cultural heritage — Canary Islands landscapes, Galician carnival traditions, and Tenerife mythology — to create a uniquely personal game.
Team Overview
| Member | Role | Background | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Redondo | Lead Artist | Co-founder | Art direction vision |
| Tomas Manzano | Lead Programmer | Co-founder | UE5 implementation |
| Ricardo Chorques | Narrative Designer | Co-founder | Emotional storytelling |
| Esteban Marin | Game Designer | Co-founder | Mechanics design |
| Rafa del Olmo | Composer | Music | Unique boss tracks |
Studio Profile
Weird Beluga S.L.
Spanish Indie Studio — Founded 2019
PlayStation Talents
Award Recognition — Best Game & Best Art 2019
Anti-AI Philosophy
Handcrafted Development — Every Asset Human-Created
Spanish Cultural Vision
Canary Islands, Galicia, & Tenerife Mythology — Deeply Personal
Development Team
Core Team — Four Co-founders + Composer
Core Mechanics
Weird Beluga operates as a small team where each member wears multiple hats. The approximately three-year development of Duskfade followed a clear design philosophy: create a PS2-era inspired action-platformer with modern UE5 visuals while maintaining the emotional depth and sense of wonder those classic games evoked. Their anti-AI stance extends to all aspects of development — art, code, narrative, and music are all human-created.
Advantages
The studio's small size allows for unified creative vision — every team member contributes to the same artistic goal. Spanish cultural influences create a unique identity that distinguishes Duskfade from other action-platformers. The PlayStation Talents recognition provides credibility. The anti-AI stance resonates with players who value human artistry in games.
Challenges
The small team size means slower update cadence and limited capacity for post-launch content. As a first-time 3D action-platformer developer (their previous game was a top-down shooter), some mechanics like camera control and combat balance needed community feedback to refine. No confirmed post-launch content roadmap beyond bug fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the developer of Duskfade?+
What Spanish cultural influences are in Duskfade?+
Why does Weird Beluga oppose AI in game development?+
Quick Tips
Watch the developer interview on XboxTavern for deep insights into the game's design philosophy, including why they chose PS2-era inspiration over modern trends and how Spanish culture shapes the narrative.
Listen to Rafa del Olmo's soundtrack — each boss has a unique music track that intensifies with phase progression. The composer created these tracks to reflect the emotional themes each boss represents.
The Creative Bloq art article reveals how the team achieved Duskfade's distinctive clockpunk aesthetic in UE5, including the Minutero blade transformation design and the cultural research behind each world.
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