Xbox's Activision Opens New Studio To Develop Narrative-Based Triple-A Franchise

<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2024/05/16/e8e3fb5f/elsewhere-activision-xbox-studio.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Elsewhere Entertainment Xbox Activision Studio New Poland" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p>

<p>Activision, <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/10/13/microsoft-has-officially-acquired-activision-blizzard-for-69-billion">the developer-publisher Microsoft and Xbox purchased for $69 billion last year</a>, has formed a new studio called Elsewhere Entertainment, and it is developing a new "narrative-based and genre-defining AAA franchise." The studio is based in Warsaw, Poland, and, according to a report from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-opens-new-studio-tasked-with-creating-narrative-based-aaa-franchise"><em>IGN</em></a>, it is not working on a Call of Duty-related project.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This studio, which has been formed behind-the-scenes before today's public unveiling, arrives roughly one week after <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/05/07/xbox-is-shutting-down-arkane-austin-tango-gameworks-and-more">Xbox closed four Bethesda studios</a>, including <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/review/hi-fi-rush/riff-city">Hi-Fi Rush</a> developer Tango Gameworks and <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/review/redfall/a-life-draining-trip-to-new-england">Redfall</a> team Arkane Austin. While the company has yet to publicly address the closures directly, Xbox president Sarah Bond said in an interview that <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2024/05/10/xbox-president-addresses-bethesda-studio-closures-says-its-about-keeping-business">the closures were about keeping the business healthy in the long-term</a>. It's why news of this new studio might be surprising, given one week ago, the parent company of Activision was closing studios to cut costs.&nbsp;</p>

<iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R_An8CM4ATg" width="640"></iframe>

<p>"Built from the ground up, Elsewhere Entertainment is a premier and standalone studio dedicated to establishing an environment that inspires bold and diverse ideas," a <a href="https://www.activision.com/blog/activision/2024/activision-announces-new-studio-elsewhere-entertainment-all-new-franchise-development">blog post</a> reads. "The team's underlying mission encourages everyone to explore and collaborate creatively to craft a franchise with an enduring legacy that resonates far beyond games. [The] new studio has full access to Activision's resources and tools as it continues to increase production and development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Elsewhere is opening its search for best-in-class talent from across the industry and around the world to help create a state-of-the-art and next generation gaming experience."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elsewhere is currently made up of developers with experience working on franchises like The Last of Us, Uncharted, The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, Destiny, Tom Clancy's The Division, and Far Cry.&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>What kind of game do you hope Elsewhere makes? Let us know in the comments below!</i></p>