Robert Bowling, the ex-creative strategist for Call of Duty who resigned from Infinity Ward late last month, has revealed that he has launched a new independent game studio called Robotoki.
The studio was announced during a conversation with Game Informer, where Bowling stated that part of his decision to form Robotoki was due to how the video game industry treats its “creative talent” (developers).
“Robotoki is focused on being a developer development studio that just happens to make games. We are focused on our team first and everything else second, because I believe as an industry; we have a lot to learn on how to treat talent. While we continue to out stride film and music entertainment in other areas, we are falling severely behind in how to properly inspire and support our creative talent.”
Bowling has never directly commented as to why he left Infinity Ward and Activision, but the above statement appears to suggest that he was not entirely happy with certain aspects of how his former employer treated its developers.
Robotoki will be completely self-funded and has already started work on its first project, which will be revealed later this year and is targeted for “next-gen consoles, PC, and mobile devices (iOS, Tablet, Android)”. Nothing specific was mentioned as to what the game will be but Bowling did note that the development focus will be on “creating a universe first, experiences second, and game mechanics last”. Adding, “Our focus is creating an experience that is no longer strictly single player, strictly co-op, or strictly multiplayer, but adapting the strengths of each of these into a unique experience that is fueled by the actions and contributions in each.”
