Former Volition employees form co-development studio Shapeshifter Games

by Danny Craig  · 
Former Volition employees form co-development studio Shapeshifter Games
Shapeshifter Games

Former employees of the now-defunct Saints Row developer Volition have announced the formation of Shapeshifter Games, a new studio focused on assisting with AAA game development.

The details:

  • As spotted by TechRaptor, the studio's opening was announced on its new LinkedIn page, revealing that it will be based in Champaign, Illinois. According to its description, it was founded to "partner with world-class developers and publishers on the creation of AAA games" by utilizing its employees' experience working on open-world titles like Saints Row and spin-off Agents of Mayhem.

  • Rob Loftus, the former principal producer of Saints Row, will serve as studio director, while Brian Traficante, the creative director of Volition, will continue in his role at Shapeshifter. “It’s been five months since the closure of Volition, but I’m grateful to post that a group of us have re-formed as Shapeshifter Games,” Loftus wrote on LinkedIn. “The industry climate remains tough and I know I’m fortunate to reconnect with colleagues and turn the page on a new adventure. I’m hopeful for more groups like us and for the brighter days ahead.”

  • Volition was one of the first studios to close as part of Embracer Group's ongoing restructuring program in August 2023. The lukewarm reception of the 2022 Saints Row reboot, as well as its previous game, Agent of Mayhem, are likely to have played a significant role in the decision.

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