First Paramount merged with Skydance. Then Paramount Skydance bought Warner Bros. Discovery (though technically it’s still pending). WBD itself is a merged uber company. Now the mega corp is at it again. It is condensing its own video game studios into a single entity known as Paramount Games Studio.
Variety reports Paramount Skydance is condensing its two video games studios—Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media—into one entity. The company’s Head of Corporate Strategy and Development, Tony Driscoll will lead Paramount Games Studio. He will remain in his current roll. Paramount told Variety that will allow Driscoll “to lead our integration planning effort for the Warner Bros. Discovery transaction.” The new singular studio will also develop its own games based on Paramount IP rather than licensing out to other studios.
In a statement Driscoll talked about what the company is hoping to achieve by bringing both studios under a singular umbrella:
This division launch marks a meaningful evolution in how we think about games – not as an extension of our business, but as a core pillar of our content strategy alongside film, television, and streaming. We are committed to creating exceptional games for every type of player, from casual to AAA, and building enduring experiences across our beloved Paramount IP and original worlds that deepen fan engagement and drive long-term growth.
Skydance Interactive’s Dan Prigg is sticking around. He’ll serve as Executive Vice president, Head of Games for the new studio. Paramount has also named his colleague at Skydance Interactive, Shawn Kittelsen, as Senior Vice President, Head of Creative & Production.
This latest condensation is not expected to stop work on two big projects that were in development at Skydance New Media. It was working on both Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra and still-unnamed Star Wars game. Those will now continue at Paramount Games Studio. It’s also expected to announce a new AAA title as part of this initial rollout.
One of Skydance New Media’s two co-presidents is also staying on under the new banner. Amy Hennig will serve is as the new studio’s Creative Director. Meanwhile Julian Beak is leaving the company.
If history is any indicator we know what’s next for her. She’ll move on to a different company. Eventually it will merge with Paramount Skydance Warner Bros. Discovery Elizondo Mountain Dew Camacho.