Red Storm Entertainment is ramping up for the release of a new virtual realty game rooted at its Cary headquarters: Assassin’s Creed Nexus.
The game, being launched by Red Storm parent Ubisoft for the Meta Quest 2 and 3, is the first VR launch in the long-running series – the first Assassin’s Creed title was released in 2007 – and involved the talents of 300 people, including about 169 Red Storm developers. The new game will be released on Nov. 16.
Red Storm has about 121 people living within an hour of its Cary studio, which operates hybrid style – employees typically coming in a few days a week.
Elizabeth Loverso, managing director, said the team is busy working on images approved for social media posts, planning the game’s launch party and organizing team awards to celebrate the three-and-a-half-year effort.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Loverso said.
It comes at a time of turmoil for some others in the industry, including nearby Epic Games, which recently announced more than 800 layoffs.
In an interview, Loverso said Red Storm, which is hiring, has been able to grow by being “very tuned in” on game development. The studio typically works on two titles at a time, not including co-development projects. Red Storm also works on assets for a pair of television shows that, with the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, can soon resume work.
Loverso said her team’s focus on execution is why it hasn’t had to tighten like some of its peers. And she said the Assassin's Creed game, in particular, is special. “It’s the first time you will see a Triple A Assassin's Creed game in virtual reality,” she said. “It’s absolutely leveraging the immersive experience in the headset.
Loverso has been at Red Storm for more than 24 years, and took over the top spot at the studio last year. With her tenure at the firm, the transition has been smooth, she said.
“Certainly it has had a great impact, I think, on the culture here, having a woman at the helm,” she said.