Interviews
3DClouds’ CEO Francesco Bruschi Talks Trident’s Tale – Interview Series
3DClouds, a studio headquartered in Milan, Italy, has formally announced Trident’s Tale, a brand-new pirate-centric third-person action game for PC. In the words of CEO Franceso Bruschi, the game will feature a “compelling 15+ hour story-driven campaign, a massive open world to explore, compelling sword and gun combat, lots of crafting and customization opportunities and, my personal favorite, naval combat with challenging mythical monsters to vanquish and a fully dynamic weather system.”
In an effort to learn more about the studio’s latest third-person IP, I decided to speak with the team over at 3DClouds.
Thanks for taking the time to sit down and speak with us about your upcoming game, Trident’s Tale. Before we jump into that nautical world, however, let’s talk a bit about the studio and, more importantly, how it found its foothold in the industry. Please could you tell us more about that origin story?
Francesco: 3DClouds was founded in 2016 out of a passion for racing games. We started small, but over the years, we’ve grown from 15 to over 60 people, becoming one of Italy’s biggest studios.
Our journey began with Xenon Racer and All-Star Fruit Racing. In 2019, partnering with Outright Games led us to work on major brands, gaining international traction. Now, while we remain experts in kart racing, we’re expanding into new genres, especially with our own IPs.
Beyond racing, we developed King of Seas (2021) and PAW Patrol World (2023). Trident’s Tale builds on both, blending our experience in these genres. In many ways, Trident’s Tale is the spiritual successor to both games, drawing from our studio’s experience.
Let’s go ahead and jump into Trident’s Tale. First and foremost, how would you best describe it? Also, if you had to compare it against any other oceanic tale, what would it be and why?
Francesco: It’s a coming-of-age adventure set in a vibrant, mythic oceanic world, where players explore both land and sea, battle supernatural foes, and uncover ancient mysteries. The game blends storytelling with gameplay, offering a mix of action, exploration, and naval combat.
If we had to compare it, Trident’s Tale has the heart of Moana and the swashbuckling action of Pirates of the Caribbean, combining myth, magic, and high-seas adventure in a way that feels fresh and dynamic.
We’re eager to learn more about this protagonist, Ocean, and their purpose in this world. Would you mind telling us more about their involvement in this story, as well as what it is that they’ll be striving to achieve?
Francesco: Ocean is a passionate and rebellious young woman with a dream of becoming a pirate. Raised by the boatswain, Laertes, who acts as a father figure, she’s spent her life on the sea’s edge. Her impulsiveness, curiosity and love for adventure often puts her in trouble. Yet, despite her hotheaded nature, Ocean is fiercely loyal, particularly to Laertes, and would do anything to protect him.
With a unique bond to the sea—symbolized by her mismatched eyes, one brown and the other vivid blue—Ocean is destined for greatness. Throughout her journey, she will face the challenge of balancing her reckless ambition with the responsibility that comes with her connection to the Sea Spirit world. Her adventure will push her to discover her true potential, forge her path, and uncover the ancient secrets that tie her to the ocean’s magic.
You’ve mentioned that there’ll be a “massive” open world to explore. Care to shed some light on that? What sorts of landmarks, biomes, or naval bases are we likely to find out on our travels?
Francesco: In Trident’s Tale, the world is shaped by four major cultures, each influencing the ships you encounter on the seas and the environments you explore on the islands:
● Pirates: The open sea and coastal villages where pirates thrive. Expect rugged ports and cities built on the ruins of sunken ships, giving these locations a wild, adventurous feel.
● Leeroys: Steampunk-inspired cities filled with laboratories powered by Divinorum, the magical energy. These areas are surrounded by robot guards and sources of Divinorum, with intricate gadgets and advanced machinery creating a tech-filled atmosphere.
● Mystics: Locations filled with eerie, fog-covered landscapes that hide ancient secrets tied to legends. A key place is the Spirit Nest, a skull-shaped island where the legend unfolds as the story progresses.
● Navy: Rigid and militaristic architecture, often with tall buildings and a strict order. Notable locations include the Navy capital and a prison, which will be revealed as you play.
As you travel through these cultures, expect the soundtracks and lighting to change to match the environment, further immersing you in each unique world.
And then there’s the naval combat aspect of the game. In recent elevator pitches you’ve mentioned that it is a favorite of the studio’s. Care to tell us why this part of Trident’s Tale will be of great importance for players?
Francesco: Well, who wouldn’t enjoy firing cannons at a giant kraken? The game features naval battles against sea monsters, enemy ships, and powerful naval bosses tied to the main quest. That said, naval exploration can also offer a relaxing break from the intensity of combat. It’s the perfect time to take in the game’s breathtaking atmosphere: the rolling waves, the passage of time, and the open sea. Aside from story bosses, you can choose whether to engage in battle or simply continue your journey to the next adventure.
Credit: 3DClouds
Would you mind sharing a few tips and tricks on how to approach Trident’s Tale? Are there any dos or don’ts that we should know about before setting sail on our voyage?
Francesco: First of all, we recommend taking the time to explore beyond the main path. New equipment can be found by solving puzzles, and both the islands and the sea are filled with loot to craft new gear and consumables. There are also optional side quests that allow you to unlock new mentors, each granting Ocean a unique magical skill.
As for the don’ts, we don’t like telling players what they shouldn’t do, so feel free to approach the game however you like. If you’re here to simply enjoy a well-crafted adventure in a pirate world, go for it!
Where might we be able to source some additional information on Trident’s Tale? Are there any important social channels, newsletters, or event details that we ought to be taking note of ahead of the game’s formal debut?
Francesco: You should definitely join our Discord server and wishlist the game on Steam to stay updated! We’ll be sharing news and videos leading up to launch, so here are some useful links:
Is there anything else you would like to add to this story before we begin to wrap it up?
Francesco: Trident’s Tale is a labor of love, the result of two years of passion and dedication from our team. Finally being able to talk about the project feels good.
Thanks again for speaking with us — we really appreciate it! We look forward to seeing more of Trident’s Tale over the coming months!
You can find even more information on 3DClouds’ Trident’s Tale by following the official X handle here. Alternatively, you can add the game to your wishlist on Steam for additional pre-launch updates here.
