Petroglyph Games represents the continuation of legendary real-time strategy development heritage, founded in 2003 by former Westwood Studios veterans who carried forward the pioneering spirit and technical expertise that defined the golden age of RTS gaming. Established in Las Vegas by Joe Bostic, Michael Legg, and Steve Tall—programmers whose collective experience spans over a century of industry-defining work—this independent studio has become a sanctuary for classic RTS design philosophy in an era increasingly dominated by other genres. Their development approach emphasizes accessible yet strategically deep gameplay mechanics that honor traditional RTS conventions while incorporating modern quality-of-life improvements and innovative twists that keep the genre fresh and engaging. Petroglyph's strength lies in their intimate understanding of what makes strategy games compelling, from base building and resource management to tactical combat and unit diversity, combined with their willingness to experiment across different settings from science fiction to fantasy to historical warfare. The studio demonstrates exceptional versatility in balancing original intellectual property development with respectful stewardship of beloved franchises, often serving as trusted partners when publishers seek developers who truly understand the RTS genre's nuances. Their commitment to maintaining a relatively small, experienced team has fostered a collaborative environment where developers can work directly with founders and maintain the creative focus that larger studios often sacrifice for scale. As custodians of Westwood Studios' spiritual legacy and champions of the RTS genre, Petroglyph continues to prove that thoughtful, passionate development and deep genre expertise can sustain successful independent studios while keeping classic game design traditions alive for dedicated strategy gaming communities.
