The lights are on
After abruptly leaving developer Infinity Ward in late March, former Call of Duty creative strategist Robert Bowling is opening a game development studio called Robotoki.
Speaking to Game Informer through e-mail today, Bowling said the decision to form his own company began immediately after resigning from his long-time position with Activision.
“Robotoki is focused on being a developer development studio that just happens to make games,” he said. “We are focused on our team first and everything else second, because I believe as an industry; we have a lot to learn on how to treat talent. While we continue to out stride film and music entertainment in other areas, we are falling severely behind in how to properly inspire and support our creative talent.
Bowling said Robotoki is completely self-funded and will only partner with those who support that model. “I wanted to create an environment where the creative vision holders held complete control over their work and could guide and maintain it from concept to execution."
Robotoki’s first project, which will be revealed later this year, is slated for release on next-gen consoles, PC, and mobile devices (iOS, Tablet, Android). “As a developer, our focus is on creating a universe first, experiences second, and game mechanics last, “ Bowling said. “With focus being on universe, we aim to create experiences that transcend platforms and genres and allow our players to connect to our world, their characters, and gameplay via any medium (console, PC, or mobile).
“However, how they experience the world is unique to their device. The mobile / tablet experience should not mimic the console or PC experience, it should be additive to it, not supplemental. Allowing them to support their console and PC experience, continue their progression, but by experiencing the world in a meaningful and unique way."
Bowling added, “Our focus is creating an experience that is no longer strictly single player, strictly co-op, or strictly multiplayer, but adapting the strengths of each of these into a unique experience that is fueled by the actions and contributions in each.”
Robotoki's website just opened and is already hiring for the upcoming project.
lots of platforms for a startup.. that's always a risky proposition. let's hope it doesn't sink them before they start.
Didnt used to like him much, everything he said was This new mechanic is awesome, this map is awesome, this gun is awesome this whatever is awesome.
However his quotes from this article put him in a new light for me..
Awesome, best of luck Bowling!
Good luck bowling!
As I would to anyone setting out on their own on such an endeavor, I wish Mr. Bowling the best of luck. Hopefully his new company can craft the kind of creative vision that he plans to work toward.
Sounds EXTREMELY ambitious. Can't wait to see more. Hope they are at E3.
I am not a call of duty fan. However,I can not look blindly to the amount of work that goes into those games. This guy seems to have a real feel for his industry. He also seems to have the talent, dedication, and open-mindedness to do some very interesting future work. I look forward to seeing it.
Someone please make an Obama "HOPE" poster with Bobby B's face. S
Sounds like he has quite the plan, good luck to him!
Great.. Call of iPad..
Good luck to his studio. I'll be keeping an eye out for news about this game.
Awesome, these are the type of studios that keep the game industry interesting.
wow, this sounds extremely gutsy. hope it all works out for him =)
Hopefully the game will have MOABS.
"next-gen consoles", "revealed later this year"...?
What's that say about the next gen consoles? How soon until they're revealed?
“As a developer, our focus is on creating a universe first,"
-*** sold man. I will back you as long as you're promising to deliver something emmersive and emotional. <3
Sounds like he has some big goals. I wish em the best & am interested to see what his company can do. Robotoki is just a fun word to say too lol.
Okay, when he said game mechanics last, I immediately lost interest. No matter what kind of stuff you are doing, gameplay needs to come first.
Lol game mechanics last? That's ridiculous, if the game isn't fun to play no on will buy it no matter how awesome the universe is.