Rebel Wolves has moved its dark‑fantasy ARPG Blood of the Dawnwalker closer to release, with the title already playable to completion on a PS5 prototype. The studio, working under Bandai Namco, says the game is entering the final certification stage, a milestone that usually precedes a full launch window.

Certification in the gaming world means that a title passes a battery of performance, compliance, and safety tests on every target platform. If Blood of the Dawnwalker clears these checks, the developers can lock in a release window. Current estimates place the launch in Q3 or early Q4 of 2026, though no official date has been set.

During a recent interview with Game Business, CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz explained that the team has leaned on AI to generate early placeholder assets. These generative‑art snippets speed up iteration but will be replaced before launch. The practice mirrors moves by studios such as Sandfall Interactive and Pearl Abyss, who have used AI to prototype and refine concepts.

The use of AI in early development has sparked debate. A recent industry survey revealed that many professionals feel AI hampers creativity, echoing concerns from smaller studios. While placeholders can streamline pipelines, the risk of overreliance remains. For Blood of the Dawnwalker, the decision to strip AI art before release signals a commitment to polish and player experience.