Nate Purkeypile, a former Bethesda developer, is working on a new project titled The Axis Unseen, a “heavy metal open world horror game” that he says is five times larger than Skyrim. Purkeypile gained attention in 2022 when he first announced the game while working out of a camper trailer.
His reputation as a veteran artist at Bethesda, where he worked on titles like Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Skyrim, and Starfield, has added considerable buzz to the project. His new game marks a significant shift as he ventures into solo indie development.
Purkeypile’s reference to his game’s size was accompanied by a nod to a famous Todd Howard quote from Skyrim’s promotion at QuakeCon 2011. In a tweet, Purkeypile said that the world of The Axis Unseen is “five times the size of Skyrim” and humorously added, “See that mountain there? You can go there,” echoing Howard’s iconic “you can walk to the top of that mountain” line. This serves both as a playful tribute and a point of pride, highlighting the scale of Purkeypile’s project.
The size of The Axis Unseen’s world isn’t arbitrary, as Purkeypile explained the need for a large space due to the game’s mechanics. As a hunting game that involves tracking and fighting massive creatures, the expansive environment is necessary to maintain a sense of scale and immersion. Purkeypile revealed that an attempt at a smaller world felt “awful,” justifying the decision to make it much larger.
The Axis Unseen combines open-world exploration with a unique twist on the hunting genre. Players will hunt folklore-inspired creatures, and after defeating them, they can absorb the creatures’ powers and use elemental arrows.
The game’s heavy metal theme is enhanced by a dynamic score composed by Clifford Meyer, known for his work with post-metal bands like ISIS and Red Sparowes. The soundtrack changes in intensity depending on the player’s actions, sometimes offering atmospheric music and other times heavy, intense metal.
The game, scheduled to release on PC on October 22, recently launched a demo on Steam, giving players a taste of its unique blend of horror, exploration, and hunting. With Purkeypile’s industry experience and the intriguing combination of gameplay elements, The Axis Unseen has generated excitement ahead of its official release.
