Former Volition Developers Launch Shapeshifter Games Amid Industry Layoffs

The closure of Saints Row developer Volition marked the beginning of a wave of layoffs and studio closures in the gaming industry. However, from the ashes of Volition, a new studio has emerged: Shapeshifter Games, founded by Volition alumni Matthew Madigan, Brian Traficante, and Rob Loftus. Currently, the studio is assisting InXile Entertainment with the upcoming Xbox exclusive Clockwork Revolution, operating as a fully remote studio with plans to transition to a hybrid model in the future. Madigan, who left Volition in 2017 after 15 years, was motivated to create a new studio in Champaign, Illinois, to retain the talent and workforce that had been let go. The trio began discussing the idea of Shapeshifter Games just hours after Volition's closure was announced, and by January, they had assembled a team of over ten former Volition employees. The decision to focus on co-development rather than original IP was driven by the desire to minimize risk and provide a sustainable business model. According to Madigan, co-development allows the studio to offer a flexible and scalable service to publishers while keeping their team employed on multiple projects. Loftus adds that the current industry climate, with its high level of complexity and risk, makes it essential for studios to be adaptable and willing to collaborate. The trio emphasizes that their goal is to create a sustainable studio that can provide a stable and creative environment for their team, while also delivering high-quality games to players. The story of Shapeshifter Games serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of game developers in the face of industry challenges and uncertainties.