Deviation Games- A Look Back At A Short-Lived Studio
It feels like just yesterday, or maybe a little while ago, that the gaming world heard about a brand-new creative space called Deviation Games. This studio, founded by some pretty well-known names from the Call of Duty series, certainly caught a lot of attention. People were, you know, really looking forward to what they might cook up. But, as a matter of fact, sometimes things don't quite go as planned in the fast-moving world of making games.
The news recently came out that this particular development group has, unfortunately, stopped its work. It's a bit of a sad piece of information, especially when you consider the talent that was gathered there. For many who follow the creation of interactive experiences, this kind of announcement can feel like a real letdown, especially since the team never actually got to show off what they were making, which is just a little bit disheartening.
This situation, honestly, brings up a lot of thoughts about the ups and downs of starting something new in the entertainment business. When you have experienced folks coming together, there's always a lot of hope and anticipation. So, when a venture like Deviation Games closes its doors, it leaves many wondering what might have been, and why things took such a turn.
Table of Contents
- The Founders of Deviation Games- Who Are These Creative Minds?
- Jason Blundell- A Brief Look
- Dave Anthony- His Professional Path
- What Was the Vision for Deviation Games?
- Why Did Deviation Games Close Its Doors So Soon?
- The Shifting Sands of Deviation Games' Leadership
- What Happened to the People at Deviation Games?
- Was PlayStation Really That Invested in Deviation Games?
The Founders of Deviation Games- Who Are These Creative Minds?
When you talk about Deviation Games, you really have to talk about the people who started it all. These aren't just any folks; they're individuals who have spent a good chunk of their careers shaping some very popular interactive experiences, particularly within the Call of Duty series. It's almost like they were part of the very fabric of that game's success for quite a while, you know? Their names are Jason Blundell and Dave Anthony, and their backgrounds certainly suggested a lot of promise for their new undertaking.
Jason Blundell- A Brief Look
Jason Blundell is, arguably, someone many people recognize if they've spent time playing the Call of Duty games, especially the parts that involve zombies. He was a key person behind the creation of that particular mode, which, as a matter of fact, became incredibly popular with players. His work there showed a real knack for making engaging content that kept people coming back for more. So, it was a pretty big deal when he decided to start something new, like Deviation Games, with a colleague.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Known For | Creator of Call of Duty's Zombies mode |
| Previous Role | Veteran at Treyarch |
| Co-founded | Deviation Games |
| Departure from Deviation Games | Two years after founding |
Dave Anthony- His Professional Path
Then there's Dave Anthony, the other half of this founding duo for Deviation Games. He, too, is a long-time professional from the Treyarch team, where he also spent a lot of time working on the Call of Duty franchise. His experience, much like Jason's, runs deep in the creation of these large-scale interactive experiences. It's pretty clear, then, that when these two decided to join forces, they brought with them a wealth of practical know-how and a history of making things that people genuinely enjoy. They were, in some respects, a formidable pair.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Known For | Veteran of Call of Duty series |
| Previous Role | Veteran at Treyarch |
| Co-founded | Deviation Games |
What Was the Vision for Deviation Games?
When Deviation Games was first talked about, it was presented as a fresh face in the world of creating big, exciting interactive experiences. It was established in 2020, and then, in June 2021, the news really broke about their partnership with PlayStation. This meant that this new group, made up of folks who had spent years making the Call of Duty series, was going to be working on something significant, possibly an online multiplayer game. You know, it sounded like a really promising start for Deviation Games, hinting at something quite grand.
The idea was, more or less, that this new studio would bring a fresh burst of creative energy into PlayStation's collection of partners. They were seen as an opportunity to bring in fresh perspectives and perhaps even a different style of game-making to the platform. It was, in a way, a chance for these experienced creators to build something from the ground up, with the backing of a major player in the interactive entertainment space. They never actually announced what exactly they were working on, apart from it being an online multiplayer game, which, to be honest, kept everyone guessing.
This kind of setup, where a major company like PlayStation partners with a newly formed group of experienced creators, often sparks a lot of excitement. It suggests that there's a strong belief in the people involved and their capacity to produce something truly special. So, for Deviation Games, the initial announcements definitely created a sense of anticipation about what they might be able to achieve, which, you know, makes the recent news all the more impactful.
Why Did Deviation Games Close Its Doors So Soon?
It's a question many people are asking, especially since Deviation Games seemed to have such a strong start with its founders and the backing of PlayStation. The fact that it ceased operations before it could even put out a game is, frankly, a tough pill to swallow for anyone who follows these things. The reasons for such a swift closure are often complex, but some pieces of information have come out that shed a little light on the situation, which is that, you know, things changed pretty quickly.
The studio was, in fact, unveiled less than three years ago, in June 2021, and was founded by former Call of Duty developers Jason Blundell and Dave Anthony. For a creative space that was only around for such a short period, it really makes you wonder what might have happened behind the scenes. Kriste Stull, the chief HR and operations officer, shared the news on LinkedIn, expressing deep gratitude to the team, which, obviously, signals the end of their work.
This kind of sudden closure, especially for a group with such notable founders and apparent support, can be quite surprising. It leaves a lot of room for speculation, but the core facts point to a very brief existence for Deviation Games, which, essentially, means their planned game never saw the light of day. It's a stark reminder that even with significant talent and backing, the path of creating interactive experiences can be full of unexpected twists.
The Shifting Sands of Deviation Games' Leadership
One of the pieces of information that came out, which might offer some insight into the studio's difficulties, involves a change in its leadership. Jason Blundell, one of the original founders, actually left the company he'd started just two years later. This kind of departure, especially from a co-founder who was a big name in the industry, can sometimes signal trouble brewing within a newly formed group. It's a bit like a ship losing one of its main navigators very early on, you know?
His leaving Deviation Games, which was established in 2020, happened before the studio's ultimate closure. When a key person like that steps away from a venture they helped create, it can, in some respects, affect morale, direction, and even external confidence. While the exact reasons for his departure aren't widely known, it's clear that this was a significant event in the short life of Deviation Games. It's just a little detail that, perhaps, hints at larger issues.
The fact that Blundell, who was so instrumental in the Call of Duty series, decided to step away from Deviation Games after such a relatively short time, certainly raises questions. It suggests that perhaps the initial vision or the day-to-day operations didn't align with his expectations, or that there were challenges that became too much to handle. This sort of change at the top can, you know, have ripple effects throughout an entire organization, especially a new one.
What Happened to the People at Deviation Games?
Shortly after Jason Blundell's departure, the company faced another difficult situation: it suffered layoffs. This is, basically, never good news for any group, especially one that's still trying to get its footing and make a name for itself. Layoffs mean that people lose their jobs, and it can be a really tough time for everyone involved, both those who leave and those who stay behind. It's pretty clear that these events would have put a lot of strain on the remaining team members at Deviation Games.
The devastating news of the studio's closure emerged following posts on LinkedIn by former employees. This is how the public often learns about these things these days, through the personal messages of people who were directly affected. Their posts, which, honestly, must have been hard to write, confirmed that Deviation Games was indeed shutting down. It's a very human way for such difficult news to come out, showing the impact on individuals.
For the people who worked at Deviation Games, this entire experience must have been incredibly challenging. They were part of a new venture with big hopes, working on an AAA shooter in partnership with PlayStation. To have that all come to an end before the project even saw the light of day is, you know, a tough blow. It reminds us that behind every studio and every game, there are real people putting in a lot of hard work and dedication, and their efforts, sadly, didn't lead to a released product in this case.
Was PlayStation Really That Invested in Deviation Games?
From the very beginning, it was pretty clear that PlayStation had a very close relationship with Deviation Games. When the partnership was first announced, PlayStation's branding was, apparently, all over Deviation Games' presence. This isn't just a small thing; it usually suggests a significant level of investment and interest from the larger company. It's like, you know, they were really putting their stamp on this new group, indicating a strong connection.
It was clear from the day they first announced the partnership that Deviation Games was on the list of studios PlayStation wanted to acquire, or at least keep a very close eye on. PlayStation was, in fact, 100% keeping a close watch on them. This level of attention suggests that PlayStation clearly put a lot of money into whatever Deviation Games was working on, which was said to have been developing an AAA shooter ‘in partnership’ with PlayStation. This makes the closure even more surprising, as it implies a considerable financial commitment that didn't pan out.
The idea was that this partnership represented an opportunity for PlayStation to bring fresh creative talent into their fold. When a major platform holder like PlayStation invests so much in a new studio, it's usually because they see a lot of potential there. They were, obviously, looking for something special from Deviation Games, and their visible support was a testament to that belief. So, the fact that this venture ended without a game being shipped is, you know, a pretty significant event for both Deviation Games and PlayStation.
In summary, Deviation Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veterans Jason Blundell and Dave Anthony in 2020, closed its doors before releasing any games. Despite an initial partnership with PlayStation and significant investment from the platform holder, the studio faced challenges, including the departure of co-founder Jason Blundell and subsequent layoffs. The closure, announced by the studio's head of HR, marks the end of a venture that, in some respects, held a lot of promise for new interactive experiences, leaving its unannounced AAA shooter unreleased.
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Deviation Games - Gematsu
