Bethesda Softworks has announced the opening of Battlecry Studios, a new video game development studio headed up by ex-BioWare VP Rich Vogel. The specific project that the Texas-based studio is working on was not announced but new job listings indicate that it will be a free-to-play game.
The online job ad mentions that the studio is looking for a “monetization designer”, and a “platform lead” who can “lead a team of software engineers in the design and implementation of micro-transaction systems and services”.
Whatever the new game is, it also seems likely that the studio’s unannounced project will be some type of MMO, given Vogel’s past experience with Star Wars: The Old Republic, Ultima Online, and Star Wars Galaxies.
Battlecry Studios‘ announcement press release is posted below. We will let you know exactly what the new studio is working on as soon as it is announced.
Bethesda Softworks Opens Battlecry Studios in Austin
Long-time Industry Veteran Rich Vogel to Head Development at New StudioOctober 3, 2012 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, is pleased to announce it has established a new studio in Austin, Texas, Battlecry Studios, to be headed by long-time industry veteran Rich Vogel. Most recently, Vogel worked at Bioware where he served as the executive producer on the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Rich has a long history in the industry having worked on Ultima Online, and Star Wars Galaxies as well as other online and console titles during his 20+ years in game development. The new studio is currently hiring other experienced game developers to fill key roles for an unannounced project.
“I have always admired and respected Bethesda’s approach to making great, original games,” said Vogel. “It’s a belief and passion I share, and I’m looking forward to building a team of high quality developers who want to bring that same commitment and creative energy to the games we’ll be creating.”
“We are very pleased to have someone with Rich’s vast experience join us at Bethesda,” said Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. “Rich has a history of building and managing talented development teams and bringing high quality games to market, and we look forward to working with him on a new exciting project.”
Battlecry Studios will be the second ZeniMax studio located in Austin, joining Arkane® Studios, whose highly-anticipated title, Dishonored™, ships this month. For more information about Bethesda Softworks and available jobs at Battlecry Studios, visit: http://jobs.zenimax.com/.