In a major industry shakeup, the former head of the Grand Theft Auto series, Leslie Benzies, has swooped in to save a portion of the development team from Immortals of Aveum following the downsizing at Ascendant Studios. This rescue comes through his latest venture, Build A Rocket Boy, a studio that has been gaining momentum in the gaming industry for its ambitious projects and high-profile talent acquisitions.
A Perfectly Timed Rescue
Immortals of Aveum, a magical first-person shooter developed by Ascendant Studios and published by EA, was released in August 2023 to moderate success. Despite its innovative approach blending magic and shooting mechanics, the game struggled with sales, forcing the studio to make difficult decisions. Ascendant Studios announced layoffs affecting nearly half of its workforce, which sent ripples of concern through the gaming community. However, Benzies, well known for his contributions to Rockstar Games and his leadership in creating open-world masterpieces, saw an opportunity.
Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), Benzies’ new studio, is currently working on Everywhere, an ambitious project that has been described as a blend of an open-world game, social platform, and virtual world experience. Benzies, ever on the lookout for top-tier talent, capitalized on the situation by extending a lifeline to a significant chunk of the displaced Immortals of Aveum developers. This decision not only aligns with BARB’s growth trajectory but also helps preserve the talent pool from Ascendant Studios.
The Build A Rocket Boy Vision
Leslie Benzies co-founded Build A Rocket Boy in 2016 after parting ways with Rockstar Games in a highly publicized departure. His vision for BARB is focused on innovation, with Everywhere being the studio’s flagship project. The game has been shrouded in mystery but promises to combine narrative-driven gameplay with user-generated content and multiplayer elements. Benzies aims to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment, and hiring experienced developers from titles like Immortals of Aveum aligns with that mission.
The team from Ascendant Studios brings with them valuable experience in developing an innovative game in a fast-paced environment. Their work on Immortals of Aveum, while not a commercial smash, has been praised for its bold attempts to merge genres and push technical boundaries in terms of world-building and combat systems. For Build A Rocket Boy, this infusion of talent can contribute to Everywhere‘s development, especially as the studio continues its search for top-tier designers, engineers, and artists.
Industry Impact
The move highlights a broader trend in the gaming industry: consolidation and the pooling of talent. The volatile nature of AAA game development often sees studios expanding rapidly during production only to shrink post-launch, leaving highly skilled developers in a precarious position. However, the industry has seen a rise in veteran-led studios like Build A Rocket Boy, which are eager to absorb seasoned developers looking for their next creative challenge.
Benzies’ decision to recruit from the Immortals of Aveum team also sends a strong message about the importance of preserving talent, even during periods of market contraction. In an industry where technical expertise and creative vision are paramount, maintaining a stable and motivated workforce is key to producing the next generation of blockbuster titles.
What’s Next for BARB?
With the expanded team, Build A Rocket Boy is poised to accelerate the development of Everywhere and future projects. The studio has yet to announce a release date for Everywhere, but expectations are high given Benzies’ track record. Meanwhile, the gaming community eagerly awaits more news about both Everywhere and the developers who made the transition from Immortals of Aveum to BARB.
For Ascendant Studios, while the layoffs are undoubtedly difficult, the partnership with Benzies’ studio offers a glimmer of hope for those affected. The gaming industry’s dynamic nature means that while one door closes, another often opens. For the team at Build A Rocket Boy, their new recruits from Ascendant Studios bring with them a wealth of experience, innovation, and passion—exactly what is needed for their ambitious journey into the future of gaming.
This strategic move by Leslie Benzies showcases his ability to seize opportunities and underscores his ongoing influence in shaping the future of game development. The new era for Build A Rocket Boy is well underway, and with the talent saved from Immortals of Aveum, the possibilities seem endless.