Saints Row and Red Faction developer Volition is one of several studios that has been impacted by Embracer Group’s spree of layoffs and closures, having been shuttered in August. Veterans from the now-defunct studio, however, have come together to start up a new team in the form of Shapeshifter Games.
The studio announced itself on LinkedIn, describing itself as “a new co-development studio that was started by pulling together group of experienced developers from Volition”. As spotted by Tech Raptor, Matt Madigon serves as the studio head, with Volition veterans Rob Loftus and Brian Traficante serving as studio directors of production and creative respectively.
“With a group of former colleagues from Volition, I am excited to announce the formation of Shapeshifter Games,” Madigon wrote. “Shapeshifter is a co-development partner for AAA games. Our goal is to grow and assist developers and publishers by providing a sustainable workforce model. It has been great reconnecting with former colleagues and a great opportunity to help others who have been affected by the industry.”
“We are focused on AAA game development,” Shapeshifter Games wrote. “One of the goals of the company is to create a more sustainable environment for developers to do their best work.”
The developer also says it’s “already hard at work with a top publisher on their next great IP”. According to lighting artist AJ Nelson, the project in question is an Xbox Game Studios game, though the name of the game hasn’t been mentioned.
Shapeshifter Games is currently looking to expand and recruit in a number of roles.