Activision Opens New Studio Tasked With Creating Narrative-Based AAA Franchise – IGN

Activision has announced the formation of Elsewhere Entertainment, a new studio it says will focus on developing a “narrative-based and genre-defining AAA franchise.”

Elsewhere Entertainment, which is based in Warsaw, is Activision’s second Polish studio after the Krakow-based Infinity Ward Poland. The studio has been working behind the scenes up until now, and this is its first public unveiling.

According to the blog post revealing the new studio, Elsewhere Entertainment’s team includes “storytelling experts” who have previously worked on franchises including The Last of Us, Uncharted, The Witcher, Cyberpunk, Destiny, The Division, and Far Cry. It is currently recruiting developers in hopes of creating a “state-of-the-art and next-generation gaming experience,” which IGN understands is not a Call of Duty-related project.

Little else is known about Elsewhere Entertainment’s first franchise, though the post does mention that the studio hopes to “craft a franchise with an enduring legacy that resonates far beyond games.” That would seem to point to a transmedia franchise that will try to replicate the success of The Last of Us and Fallout, or maybe just get its own theme park.

To this point, Activision has mostly been known for its work on the Call of Duty series, with Crash Bandicoot developer Toys for Bob opting to go independent following the Xbox acquisition. In addition to the Crash Bandicoot games, Activision Publishing has also released Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Destiny.

Elsewhere Entertainment’s opening stands out in an industry that has lately been rocked by layoffs. Last week, Activision Blizzard parent company Microsoft closed multiple studios including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin. Activision Blizzard was also impacted by layoffs in the early part of 2024, with Blizzard being particularly affected.

It’s unclear when Elsewhere Entertainment’s game will be released, though based on existing development timelines it’s likely to be a few years yet. In the meantime, Activision appears to be preparing to reveal the next Call of Duty at next month’s Xbox Showcase, which is set for June 9.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.