Former Volition Team Members Launch Shapeshifter Games Amidst Industry Layoffs

The closure of Saints Row developer Volition marked the beginning of a wave of layoffs and studio shutdowns in the gaming industry. However, from the ashes of Volition, a new studio has emerged: Shapeshifter Games, a co-development house founded by Volition alumni Matthew Madigan, Brian Traficante, and Rob Loftus. Currently, the studio is collaborating with InXile Entertainment on the upcoming Xbox exclusive Clockwork Revolution, operating as a fully remote studio with plans to transition to a hybrid model in the long term. In an interview, Madigan revealed that he had been considering launching a new studio in Champaign, Illinois, where Volition was based, even before the studio's closure. Upon hearing the news of Volition's shutdown, Madigan was determined to turn his idea into a reality, aiming to maintain the core talent and workforce in the area. By 4 pm on the day of the closure, Madigan had already reached out to Traficante, and the conversation that would lead to the formation of Shapeshifter Games had begun. The studio has hired over ten employees, all of whom are former Volition staff members, with the goal of growing to 200-300 people in the long term. However, Madigan emphasizes that this is an ambitious target, and the studio is focused on co-development as a less risky approach to establishing itself in the market. According to Madigan, co-development allows the studio to provide publishers with a team of experienced developers while keeping its own staff employed on multiple projects, reducing the risk of layoffs and closures. Loftus adds that the studio is currently focused on establishing itself as a reliable co-development partner, with the goal of growing steadily and creating a sustainable business. The team is inspired by their experiences at Volition but aims to create a distinct identity for Shapeshifter Games. Despite the challenges posed by the current market, the studio is hopeful about its prospects and is committed to creating a positive and productive work environment. The conversation also touched on the fall of Volition, with Loftus noting that the studio's closure was not entirely surprising, given the challenges it faced in meeting expectations and the mixed reception of its previous titles. Traficante attributes the studio's struggles to a complex array of factors, including the challenges of developing and managing large-scale projects. The Embracer Group, Volition's parent company, has faced criticism for its aggressive expansion strategy, which has led to numerous closures and layoffs, including Volition. However, Madigan believes that the industry as a whole is experiencing a downturn, and Embracer is not the only company affected. Despite the challenges, Madigan is optimistic about the potential for Embracer to recover and continue producing high-quality games.