Microsoft has recruited two game designers for its Xbox studio The Initiative who worked on The Last of Us: Part 2 at Naughty Dog, with Lauren Garcia and Lee Davis joining the developer. Microsoft has been ramping up its first-party studios in recent months in anticipation of the launch of the Xbox Series X. As well as setting up a number of new studios, the company has even purchased Bethesda and the rights to games such as Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Doom.
The Initiative has made headlines over the last year due to the fact that it is apparently working on what Microsoft has billed “AAAA” games. However, it has never been officially confirmed exactly what the studio is actually working on. But fans do know that it has hired a number of high-profile developers, including some from the likes of Crystal Dynamics, Rockstar, SIE Santa Monica, BioWare, Naughty Dog, and Respawn Entertainment.
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Two high-profile developers from Naughty Dog have joined Microsoft’s new AAA studio The Initiative. According to social media posts, both Lee Davis and Lauren Garcia have left Sony’s first-party developer and joined the new Xbox venture. Davis, who has previously worked on The Last of Us: Part 2 as the Head of Melee Animation, updated his LinkedIn profile to confirm the move. Meanwhile, Garcia revealed the switch on Twitter. He also played a role in the critically acclaimed sequel as a Character Shading Technical Director and will now take on the role of Senior Shading Technologies at The Initiative. Garcia went on to say that the new studio “is an incredible teaming working on something truly special.”
So happy to announce that this week I joined at The Initiative. This is an incredible team working on something truly special. It was so hard to left behind my friends at NaughtyDog. But I need to say thank you to @Xbox @XboxP3 to allow me be part of Xbox family! <3
— Lauren Garcia (@MrLGarcia) October 13, 2020
Although neither Microsoft nor The Initiative has confirmed what the new developer is actually working on, there have been rumors that it could be a reboot of the Perfect Dark series. Industry insider Jeff Grub revealed back in August that his sources had confirmed the studio is creating a third-person title set in the Perfect Dark universe. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has also alluded to the fact that The Initiative is challenging itself “to do new things (and old things) in new ways.”
Whatever The Initiative is working on, fans are sure to be excited by the fact that so many talented developers are now calling the studio home. With Microsoft’s backing and a large number of high-profile designers now at the developer, anything it produces will be sure to grab plenty of attention. Microsoft will be hoping that it will help provide some world-class exclusives for the Xbox platform as the release of the Xbox Series X approaches.
Sources: Lauren Garcia, Lee Davis
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