• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Gameranx

Gameranx

Video Game News, Lists & Guides

  • News
  • Features
  • Platforms
    • Xbox Series X
    • PS5
    • Nintendo
  • Videos
  • Upcoming Games
  • Guides

The Initiative Adds Two Former Naughty Dog Developers 

October 14, 2020 by Dennis Patrick

Microsoft’s first-party studio continues to add talent

Now that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are on their way out to make room for the next-generation platforms, it looks like Microsoft is making some changes to the amount of software they are able to release. The line of exclusives between Microsoft and Sony may really showcase some big changes with this next-generation platform. Sony and Microsoft are both gearing up towards the next-generation launches next month, but Microsoft has been making headlines when it comes to the number of studios that they have acquired.

It wasn’t long ago now that we got word of Microsoft purchasing ZeniMax Media which comes packed with several video game studios and IPs. Arguably the biggest is Bethesda which would make Fallout and The Elder Scrolls exclusive to the Xbox brand. However, that doesn’t mean that Microsoft doesn’t have their own studios working on unique exclusive projects. In fact, one of the studios that have plenty of fans eager to hear more about is The Initiative. This studio was first established in 2018 and since then there were plenty of talented developers from a wide range of studios being hired to take the lead of the projects coming out from the Santa Monica California-based subsidiary. 

Unfortunately, we’re still waiting to see just what the studio is working on as nothing has been officially announced at the moment. We’ve heard rumors of the project being a new reboot to Perfect Dark, but again, that’s just the rumor at the moment. What’s not a rumor is the two new hires that have joined the ranks at The Initiative. Apparently, two individuals who previously were working under Naughty Dog has jumped ship from Sony exclusives to Microsoft exclusives.

The two individuals are Lee Davis the former head of Melee Animation along with Lauren Garvia who was a Shading Technical Director. Now the duo is working at The Initiative with the secret big AAA video game which Microsoft has yet to unveil. With years of experience at Naughty Dog featuring the likes of the Uncharted and The Last of Us series, we have big expectations of a highly detailed video game experience.

Source: IGN 

Share this post:

FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterest

Recent Videos

10 Game Levels Developers Should NEVER Do Again

10 Game Levels Developers Should NEVER Do Again

Top 10 New Games of August 2026

Top 10 New Games of August 2026

20 Games That Shouldn't BE IN YOUR BACKLOG

20 Games That Shouldn't BE IN YOUR BACKLOG

FALLOUT 5 announced + 2 FALLOUT REMASTERS & More

FALLOUT 5 announced + 2 FALLOUT REMASTERS & More

25 Games That Were DEAD At Announcement

25 Games That Were DEAD At Announcement

Why AAA Game Companies STOPPED Making Games

Why AAA Game Companies STOPPED Making Games

Steam Machine - Before You Buy

Steam Machine - Before You Buy

Palworld 1.0 - Before You Buy

Palworld 1.0 - Before You Buy

20 Games You UNINSTALLED Before They GOT GOOD

20 Games You UNINSTALLED Before They GOT GOOD

Category: UpdatesTag: Microsoft, PC, The Initiative, Xbox, XSX

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Valve Kills ‘Those’ Half-Life 3 Rumors By Revealing Steam Machine Won’t Have Exclusives
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past Will Be At GamesCom
  • Former XBOX Game Developer Stands Up For Game Pass After Rumor Spreads That It Is ‘Detested’ From Within
  • Nintendo Files To Dismiss Lawsuit Over Tariff Refunds They Just Received From The US Gov’t
  • Ubisoft Promises They Will Have “More To Say” On Ghost Recon’s 25th Anniversary After Ghost Recon Wildlands Ad Goes Viral

Copyright © 2026 · Gameranx · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme