Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and God of War 3 director Stig Asmussen has founded a brand new AAA studio by the name of Giant Skull.
According to a press release (via GamesIndustry.biz), Asmussen and his new studio are focused on creating "gameplay-driven, story-immersed action-adventure games". Giant Skull's first project is apparently already underway.
Alongside Asmussen, fellow Respawn Entertainment veterans Jeff Magers and Jon Carr have also become part of Giant Skull. They're joined by other industry luminaries like Fortnite and Gears of War animation staffer Brian Campbell, as well as that game's lead producer Lauren McLemore.
Asmussen told GI.biz that starting his own studio was an "itch" that he "just couldn't shake" once he started thinking seriously about the idea.
He says that his studio is "truly independent"; it's funded by private investors, which Asmussen says has given him and his team enough money to support their vision and build the studio.
According to Asmussen, his studio has four pillars at its core: "autonomy, momentum, curiosity, and respect". He says he's carried over the "autonomy" pillar from his work with Respawn, and that this approach is "engrained in how [he works]".
Regarding the studio's first AAA project (which evidently won't be AAAA like a certain pirate game), Asmussen seems confident that his team of around a hundred people can create a "competitive" game. Don't worry, though; he means competitive in a business sense, not a multiplayer sense.
Regarding the current uncertainty in the gaming industry, which has seen major studios like Sony and Microsoft (as well as Asmussen's former employer EA) hit by layoffs, Asmussen has a simple philosophy.
He tells GI.biz that "we need video games, and we need people to make them", and so developers have to "keep our heads up and continue making them".
It might sound a little too easy, but Asmussen's assertion is refreshing, especially in a climate where corporate figures don't seem to understand the appeal of the industry in which they work.
We'll have to wait and see what Asmussen and Giant Skull have in store for their first project. Until then, you can head over to the studio's official website for some fun ARG-style shenanigans.
