Rocksteady Studios Co-Founders Sefton Hill And Jamie Walker Announce Departure

Rocksteady Studios co-founders Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker have introduced that they’re departing from the studio. 

This information comes as a little bit of a shock, each as a result of Hill was the director of the studio’s upcoming recreation, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, and since each had been unique founders of the studio and masterminds behind its in style Batman Arkham collection. Nonetheless, it appears the 2 are leaving Rocksteady amicably on the finish of the yr with confidence within the group they’re forsaking to hold Suicide Squad throughout the end line. 

Right here is the statement in full: 

I’ve some essential information to share with you about Rocksteady Studios. Co-founders and studio heads Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker have made the choice to go away the studio. We’re very proud to have labored alongside Jamie and Sefton, who’ve led their proficient groups to create among the finest video games on this planet. From the critically acclaimed hit Batman Arkham franchise to their evolutionary pondering with Suicide Squad, they’ve been nice leaders of the group. Visiting Rocksteady Studios has all the time been a spotlight for me personally – the eye to element, the power of the individuals and a way of what it’s wish to be in a excessive performing studio. They’ve dedicated to the best high quality and excellence throughout all aspects of recreation growth whereas making certain an impressive tradition of caring for his or her staff. With Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League almost completed, they’ve each determined to go away Rocksteady on the finish of 2022 and can start a brand new journey in gaming. We have now the utmost respect and gratitude for Jamie and Sefton and need all of them one of the best of their new endeavor, and like many followers, we stay up for what they do subsequent. 

Rocksteady may be very well-positioned with veteran studio management being elevated to supervise the group. We’re extraordinarily happy to announce that Nathan Burlow, very long time Rocksteady Director of Manufacturing and unique founding member of the studio, will step up into the position of Studio Director and Darius Sadeghian will take the reigns as Studio Product Director. Nathan and Darius are extraordinarily proficient executives and they’re captivated with persevering with the high-quality recreation growth of Rocksteady for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and all future video games. 

It’s best to listen to from Jamie and Sefton in addition to Nathan and Darius immediately, in order that they have shared their ideas under: 

“Our choice to go away Rocksteady was emotional to say the least! From the day we based the corporate in 2004 all the way in which to right this moment, Rocksteady has been our life and soul. It has given us the chance to do what we love most: make nice video games with exceptionally proficient individuals. We’re so pleased with the group right here for the video games we have now all made collectively, from our first recreation City Chaos, to the much-loved Arkham collection, and now the epic Suicide Squad. 

However there’s something further particular about Rocksteady that goes past the video games we make, and everybody who works right here feels it. It’s the unimaginable moments that we have shared over time, the friendships made, and the care this group has for one another which have made this unforgettable journey so particular. We consider individuals put on their Rocksteady T-shirts with satisfaction due to how we deal with one another and the way it feels to be right here. We wish to thank the group for his or her arduous work and all the things they bring about to make this such an awesome place to be. 

A few of our proudest moments occurred due to this group’s power and expertise: getting the possibility to work with Warner Bros. and DC on Batman, the great Arkham Video games being far more than we might presumably have imagined, the possibility to work with our a few of our childhood heroes, giving again to the business we love a lot by serving to budding video games makers, and eventually, constructing a tradition right here the place individuals can simply be themselves and collectively make nice video games. 

One very particular ingredient in all of that is the Rocksteady followers. Their pleasure and assist for what we do is the gasoline that motivates us to be our greatest. They’re the prolonged Rocksteady group and we want them an enormous thanks for energizing us over the past 18 years! Now with Suicide Squad in secure fingers, and the group right here stronger than ever, it is time to hand over the reins, and for us to begin a brand new journey collectively in video games. 

Nathan and Darius have proved their ardour and ability at Rocksteady over a few years. They’re veterans of our business and we all know their dedication to Rocksteady and their expertise and power will take the group to even larger heights. We could not be happier that they’re main the longer term right here and need all of them the easiest.” 

– Jamie Walker & Sefton Hill

“Having labored with Jamie and Sefton as one of many founding members of the studio, I wish to thank them for creating what I think about to be probably the greatest video games growth studios within the business. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside them and I want all of them the easiest sooner or later. I’m very passionate and honored for the chance to proceed the management of Rocksteady with Darius. My aim is to assist our proficient, hardworking group, retaining the guts and superb tradition of the studio. We’re trying ahead to constructing upon our successes with the upcoming launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and our future video games.” 

– Nathan Burlow, Studio Director

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to guide and assist the superb, inventive and proficient group at Rocksteady. All through my profession on the studio, I’ve been pushed by the group’s ardour and collaborative power to attain their inventive imaginative and prescient. I wish to prolong my due to Jamie and Sefton, for all of the assist and steering they’ve supplied over time, and for the time we have now spent working intently collectively, which has been very particular to me. My dedication and aim are to proceed constructing upon Rocksteady’s legacy for delivering modern and world-class recreation experiences.” 

– Darius Sadeghian, Studio Product Director

I personally wish to thank Jamie, Sefton, Nathan and Darius for all of their arduous work and dedication to creating this transition as sturdy as doable. Please be part of me in wishing Jamie and Sefton one of the best and congratulating Nathan and Darius. 

David

As you may see, the duo will stay at Rocksteady by the top of the yr earlier than embarking on “a brand new journey in gaming.” Suicide Squad is due out someday within the spring of 2023. As for Rocksteady’s lineup after their departure, longtime director of manufacturing and unique founding member Nathan Burlow will step up into the position of studio director, and Darius Sadeghian will take over because the studio product director.