Apex Legendscontinues to grow, and so does Respawn
Respawn is opening a new branch in Madison, Wisconsin, the company announced today. This latest addition may work on other projects in the future, but at least right now, it will be focusing on supportingApex Legends.
Former Epic games director of engine production Ryan Burnett is taking up the role of studio director. He also had 14 years with Raven Software. The Madison branchis working closely withthe Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation as well, to help grow the studio.
Respawn opened a support studio forApex Legendsin Vancouverback in 2019. With this new studio, it sounds like Electronic Arts and Respawn want to keep the battle royale growing. From aGamesIndustry.biz interviewwith the new studio leads, Burnett says that the branch is not a remote live ops department, but an expansion of the coreApexteam that will work with the studios in LA and Vancouver.
The battle rages on
Three locales is a lot, but it sounds like Respawn has big plans forApex Legends, especially when it comes to longevity. Responding to a question about crunch and quality-of-life, game director Steven Ferreira talks about just how long-haul the development ofApexgoes.
“Team health is absolutely a top priority for us because we’re in this for the long haul,” Ferreira said. “We believe inApexas a franchise that’s going to be around for 10, 15 years or more and we’re excited to make that happen. to do that, we can’t just put everything all upfront, burn ourselves out and not be ready to do that in the long haul.”
That’s a long time, but as online game after online game has closed,Apex Legendshas indeed weathered the storm. Maybe this battle royale does have a long future ahead of it. God willing, that will include some moreTitanfallsomewhere down the line.
