First Watch Games

First Watch Games was an internal video game development studio established in 2018 under Hi-Rez Studios in Alpharetta, Georgia. It was created to develop an original multiplayer franchise as part of the publisher’s move toward dedicated, franchise-focused development teams. Its principal project was Rogue Company, a tactical third-person shooter built around team combat, character abilities and round-based gunplay.

The studio developed the game using Unreal Engine 4, combining hero and class-based combat design with cross-platform networking and live-service development. Its production capabilities included engineering, 3D character and environment art, animation, audio integration and ongoing gameplay balancing. Cross-play and cross-progression were central to the project, allowing players to participate across supported platforms while maintaining their progress.

Development and releases

Rogue Company initially reached PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions following. It entered closed early access in July 2020 and free-to-play open beta in October 2020, before reaching full release on June 9, 2022. The studio’s work extended beyond initial production into updates and maintenance for the live multiplayer game.

First Watch Games also developed Rogue Company: Elite, a mobile adaptation that reached beta during 2022–2023. Development halted during the studio’s subsequent consolidation.

In June 2023, Hi-Rez reorganized under the Hi-Rez Ventures umbrella. First Watch Games ceased operating as an autonomous studio, with some personnel laid off and others reassigned. Evil Mojo Games absorbed its developers and assumed responsibility for maintaining Rogue Company. First Watch Games therefore represents a historical development studio rather than a currently operating independent business.