Gaming

Den of Wolves Director Highlights the Game’s Story as One of the Decade’s Most Compelling TV-Like Narratives

April 2, 2025

134

In Short:

Den of Wolves Mirrors HBO’s Succession, Exploring Themes of Corporate Greed
The game takes place in a chaotic city dominated by ruthless mega-corporations, mirroring the greed present in society
The story shifts focus from the player character to the dynamics between the residents, emphasizing the harmful effects of success-driven attitudes

Set on a Pacific island, Den of Wolves takes place in Midway City, a lawless hub born from corporate pressures to bypass regulations for unrestricted research. Over time, it became a breeding ground for crime, human rights violations, and rampant corporate greed.

Although the setting and certain themes of Den of Wolves contrast greatly with the hit HBO series Succession, Simon Viklund, co-founder of 10 Chambers and the game’s audio and music director, shared that there are numerous similarities between the two.

Den of Wolves: A Cyberpunk Take on Succession, But With More Heists

While exploring the latest gaming news and during my recent visit to Copenhagen to get a hands-on experience with Den of Wolves, Viklund briefly mentioned the similarities between the game and Succession in a pre-brief.

Later, I had the chance to sit down with the audio director and asked if the parallels were intentional, or if the team drew inspiration from Succession, or if the similarities emerged organically.

It was while we were working on the backstory that I first noticed the resemblance,” he mentioned. “I thought, ‘This feels a bit like Succession,’ since we’re aiming for a story driven by corporate greed.

Amidst the numerous mega-corporations vying for dominance in Midway City, Viklund explained that our character is only a small piece in the larger unfolding events of the game.

Well, you probably have the freedom to define your character’s background and motivations for being in Midway City, but the game isn’t centered on you. The real story is revealed through the interactions of the residents. They serve as both your clients and rivals, showcasing the negative impact of a success-driven mindset.

Even though I only experienced two missions, one being a prep and the other a full heist, I didn’t immediately feel the Succession influence. That said, I can definitely imagine those themes emerging as the game develops.

Den of Wolves