Rocksteady is not really talkative when it comes to talking about his projects in development. After Batman: Arkham Knightthe studio was content to create a game VR with the Black Knight then went into a long silence before unveiling Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League in the summer of 2020.
Since then, the title has been discreet, and the last time it was talked about was to announce its postponement to 2023. But today, Rocksteady publish a statement which will not delight the fans: its two co-founders and co-directors Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker leave the studio. The two men were there from the start in 2004, laying the foundations of what has become Rocksteady today: a studio known for its games Batman never disappointing quality. According to the press release written by David Haddad (CEO of Warner Bros. Games) to read above, the two men made this decision on their own, in order to embark on a new adventure, still in the middle of the video game.
I have important news to share with you about Rocksteady Studios. Co-founders and directors Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker have made the decision to leave the studio. We are very proud to have worked alongside Jamie and Sefton, who led their talented teams to create some of the best games in the world. From the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham franchise to their evolutionary thinking with Suicide Squad, they’ve been great team leaders. Visiting Rocksteady Studios has always been a highlight for me personally – the attention to detail, the energy of the people, and the sense of what it’s like to be in a high performing studio. They are committed to the highest quality and excellence in all facets of game development while ensuring an exceptional culture of caring for their employees. With Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League nearing completion, they both decided to leave Rocksteady at the end of 2022 and will start a new adventure in gaming. We have the utmost respect and gratitude for Jamie and Sefton and wish them all the best in their new venture, and like many fans, we look forward to what they do next.
Rocksteady is very well positioned with high veteran studio leadership to oversee the team. We are extremely pleased to announce that Nathan Burlow, longtime Rocksteady Production Manager and original founding member of the studio, will step into the role of Studio Director and Darius Sadeghian will take the reins as Studio Product Director. Nathan and Darius are extremely talented executives and they are passionate about continuing Rocksteady’s high quality game development for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and all future games.
It’s best to hear directly from Jamie and Sefton as well as Nathan and Darius, so they’ve shared their thoughts below:
“Our decision to leave Rocksteady was emotional to say the least! From the day we founded the company in 2004 until today, Rocksteady has been our life and our soul. It gave us the opportunity to do what we love the most: building great games with exceptionally talented people. We’re so proud of the team here for the games we’ve all created together, from our first game Urban Chaos, to the much-loved Arkham series, and now the epic Suicide Squad.
But there’s something very special about Rocksteady that goes beyond the games we make, and everyone who works here feels that. It’s the incredible times we’ve shared over the years, the friendships made and the care this team has for each other that has made this unforgettable journey so special. We think people wear their Rocksteady shirts with pride because of how we treat each other and what it’s like to be here. We want to thank the team for their hard work and everything they do to make this place a great place.
Some of our most defining moments happened because of the energy and talent of this team: having the chance to work with Warner Bros. and DC on Batman, the wonderful Arkham Games being so much more than we could have imagined, the chance to work with some of our childhood heroes, giving back to the industry we love so much by helping game creators by grass, and finally, creating a culture here where people can just be themselves and create great games together.
A very special ingredient in all of this is Rocksteady fans. Their enthusiasm and support for what we do is the fuel that motivates us to perform at our best. They are the extended Rocksteady team and we wish them a huge thank you for energizing us over the past 18 years! Now that Suicide Squad is in good hands and the team here is stronger than ever, it’s time to pass the baton and start a new adventure together in games.
Nathan and Darius have proven their passion and skills at Rocksteady for many years. They are veterans of our industry and we know that their commitment to Rocksteady and their talent and energy will take the team to even greater heights. We couldn’t be happier to have them leading the future here and we wish them all the best. »
– Jamie Walker and Sefton Hill
“Having worked with Jamie and Sefton as one of the founding members of the studio, I want to thank them for creating what I consider to be one of the best game development studios in the industry. It was an absolute pleasure to work with them and I wish them the best for the future. I’m very excited and honored to have the opportunity to continue leading Rocksteady with Darius. My goal is to support our talented and hardworking team, retaining the heart and incredible culture of the studio. We look forward to building on our successes with the upcoming release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and our future games. »
– Nathan Burlow, Studio Manager
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead and support the incredible, creative and talented team at Rocksteady. Throughout my career at the studio, I have been guided by the team’s passion and collaborative energy to realize their creative vision. I would like to thank Jamie and Sefton, for all the support and advice they have provided over the years, and for the time we have spent working closely together, which has been very special to me. My commitment and goal is to continue to build on Rocksteady’s legacy to deliver innovative, world-class gaming experiences. »
– Darius Sadeghian, Product Manager
I personally want to thank Jamie, Sefton, Nathan and Darius for all of their hard work and commitment to making this transition as solid as possible. Please join me in wishing Jamie and Sefton the best and congratulating Nathan and Darius.
David
Now we just have to wait to find out what Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker will do in the future. As a reminder, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is expected sometime in Spring 2023 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. From here you can find Batman: Arkham Knight at €16.99 on Gamesplanet.
| Clint008 Writer – Tester |
