Paramount Skydance is doubling down on video games with the launch of its new Games Studio division, which will focus on developing everything from casual to AAA titles based on the company’s portfolio of IP.
The division will be led by media giant’s executive vice president of corporate strategy and development Tony Driscoll, who brings more than two decades of experience, including roles at Epic Games, Warner Bros., AT&T and Disney.
“This division launch marks a meaningful evolution in how we think about games – not as an extension of our business, but as a core pillar of our content strategy alongside film, television, and streaming,” Driscoll, who will serve as president, said in a statement. “We are committed to creating exceptional games for every type of player, from casual to AAA, and building enduring experiences across our beloved Paramount IP and original worlds that deepen fan engagement and drive long-term growth.”
Rounding out the senior leadership team will be executive vice president and head of games Dan Prigg, senior vice president and head of creative and production Shawn Kittelsen, senior vice president of marketing and communications Andrea Silvers, senior vice president of business development and licensing Kara Bilkiss and senior vice president of engineering Ray Davis.
The group brings experience from gaming companies including Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Scopely, Activision Blizzard King and Xbox parent Microsoft, as well as work on franchises such as Mortal Kombat, The Walking Dead, Invincible, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Gears of War.
Additionally, Skydance New Media’s co-president Amy Hennig will transition to studio creative director for Paramount Games Studio, while co-president Julian Beak has exited.
The Paramount Games Studio division’s first titles will include Skydance Games’ “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra” and an untitled Star Wars game.
During Summer Games Fest on Friday, the company also unveiled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin,” a AAA action-adventure game being developed by Platinum Games and published by Paramount Games.
Based on the popular comic book series, “TMNT: The Last Ronin” follows the last surviving Ninja Turtle as he embarks on a desperate mission for vengeance. TMNT: The Last Ronin will be available on consoles and PC.
Paramount, Avatar Studios and Nickelodeon Animation Studios are also collaborating with Gameplay Group International and PM Studios on “Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.”
The fast-paced, 1v1 fighter game, which is set within the iconic worlds of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra,” will launch a closed beta for those who pre-order the game from July 2 to 5, with an official launch set for July 23. The game will be available for $29.99 on PC via Steam, with other platforms to come.
The move comes as Paramount’s pending $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is on track to close by the end of the third quarter, or Sept. 30.
The deal would add Warner Bros. Games to its portfolio, which includes developers such as Rocksteady Studios, TT Games, NetherRealm Studios, Portkey Games and Avalanche Software, as well as WB Games Boston, New York, Montreal and San Francisco. Warner Bros. Games is best known for the Lego, Batman: Arkham and Mortal Kombat franchises and Hogwarts: Legacy.
In the event the transaction does not close by Sept. 30, WBD shareholders will receive a 25 cent per share “ticking fee” for each quarter until closing. In the event that the deal does not close at all due to regulatory matters, Paramount will pay WBD a $7 billion termination fee.
