The formation of a new gaming studio is always welcome news. If nothing else, the industry needs more competition. The more that companies are trying to outdo each other, the better off everyone, especially the consumers, will be. Thus, the formation of Look North World is good news.
Spearheaded by Alex Seropian, the co-creator of Halo and founder of Bungie, Look North World boasts a wealth of industry veterans that includes Jay Pecho, Patrick Moran, Kyle Marks, Aaron Marroquin, and Prashant Patil in various senior roles, as per GamesIndustry.biz.
Tapping into their extensive experience from AAA gaming, this collective has a unique goal – the development and creation of community-focused, social games and entertainment experiences using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite, which is a dynamic platform that facilitates game creation within Fortnite’s popular battle royale environment. Their emphasis on community involvement extends to incorporating player feedback and ideas, giving gamers a hand in shaping the studio’s creative direction.
The studio’s debut title, Outlaw Corral, merges the allure of the Wild West with high-octane shooting gameplay. But it’s not just the first game from Look North World; it represents the first step of a planned series of games developed using UEFN. Outlaw Corral, available as a custom Fortnite island, promises skill-based shootouts, offering a captivating blend of social interaction and competitive gaming.
Seropian believes the UEFN empowers the team to exercise their creative prowess within Unreal Engine while bypassing the non-gaming aspects of development. The aim is to take creative risks, experiment with unconventional ideas, and push the envelope in a AAA game environment. He shares the team’s vision of capitalizing on the UEFN platform’s potential to drive future gaming experiences.
Interestingly, Look North World’s team isn’t bound by geographical constraints. The studio is headquartered in Los Angeles, but its members operate from various locations, a testament to the flexibility and adaptability of modern game development practices.
For Seropian and his team, the sky is the limit, as the studio embraces a refreshingly player-centric approach rather than a purely profit-driven one. They’re stepping into a unique creative realm of gaming, where they can learn, adapt, and iterate based on how these platforms engage, entertain, and promote social interactions.
Seropian expressed that working within an “energized” community, represented by Fortnite’s 250 million monthly active players, is a powerful force. By fostering an engaging environment that fosters fun, they’re setting a bold new direction for the gaming industry. Look North World aims to lead the charge in this unexplored territory, developing games not just for the player community but with them.
Operating in the UEFN environment also allows for a business model resonant with Epic Games’ creator-driven approach. Developers can earn a share of revenues proportional to how much their custom Fortnite “islands” are played, a paradigm that incentivizes engaging and creative experiences over mere monetization.
Look North World has raised $2.25 million to date, a promising start for a fledgling gaming studio. To ensure the constant involvement of players, the company has also established a Discord channel. The first 1,000 members of the said Discord channel will automatically join the company’s beta test channel, a chance to test new games and provide direct feedback before their public release.
Seropian’s track record in gaming is formidable and his resume is nearly unrivaled. The formation of the Look North World studio signals his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the gaming experience.
With the studio’s player-centric philosophy, revolutionary approach to development, and a team of experienced industry veterans, it’s clear we can look forward to a bold new chapter in interactive gaming.
As for Bungie, the studio recently onboarded its gameplay design director for Marathon, a revival of one of its oldest properties. On the other hand, Halo has seen much better days.
