Industry veterans launch Pretty Cool Games, EA staff navigate post-buyout landscape, and a Tekken director joins VS Studio.
The gaming industry saw significant activity this week, largely centered around new studio formations and shifts in established companies. Notably, veterans of Human: Fall Flat have founded a new studio in the UK, while EA employees grapple with the implications of a major corporate buyout.
Formation of Pretty Cool Games
Key figures from the development team behind the popular game Human: Fall Flat have announced the creation of a new UK-based studio, Pretty Cool Games. The initiative, led by Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, aims to establish a sustainable work environment that augments employee fairness and offers rewards for their successes. The new studio has received financial backing from Hypergraph, the developer behind Arknights. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Pretty Cool Games is currently in the hiring phase as it gears up for its debut project.
Backward Glance: EA’s Saudi Buyout
Over at EA, employees are navigating the challenging waters following the company’s reported $55 billion acquisition by Saudi interests. The buyout has stirred a mix of emotions among the workforce. According to GameDeveloper.com, several employees have expressed dismay, citing feelings of cynicism and doubt over the impact this will have on their roles and the company’s direction. The acquisition, described by some as a seismic shift, has left many uncertain about EA’s cultural and operational future.
VS Studio Recruitment
In a move that highlights ongoing shifts in the competitive game development landscape, Kohei Ikeda, the director known for his work on Tekken 8, has joined VS Studio. As noted by GamesIndustry.biz, this recruitment signifies VS Studio’s strategy to bolster its team with seasoned talent, potentially hinting at ambitious upcoming projects under the guidance of Katsuhiro Harada.
End of the Line for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls
Konami has announced that it will be taking Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls offline next month, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz. This move marks another instance of live-service games reaching the end of their lifecycle, raising questions about the sustainability and support models of similar titles in the future.
These stories together highlight a period of significant change, both in terms of new ventures emerging with fresh opportunities and longstanding players in the industry recalibrating their strategies in response to broader shifts.
