Former Red Dead Redemption 2 Dev Working on Open World Survival Game

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Key Takeaways

  • Industry veterans form ILHAM, a new game studio focusing on Middle Eastern and Indian Subcontinental cultures.
  • ILHAM’s first game is an AA open-world survival title aiming to push genre limits and cultural perspectives.
  • ILHAM plans to explore Middle Eastern lore, offering a fresh narrative-driven adventure for gamers.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement as industry veterans like Sajid Farooq and James Rackliffe join forces to form ILHAM, a new game studio that promises to bring fresh perspectives from Middle Eastern and Indian Subcontinental cultures into the gaming world.

Previously employed Microsoft executive Sajid Farooq and ex-developer James Rackliffe, who was involved in the creation of “Red Dead Redemption 2“, have teamed up with experienced game developers to establish a fresh gaming studio called ILHAM. The gaming sector has gone through significant transformations over the recent years, and creators who honed their skills by contributing to the industry’s evolution through critically acclaimed AAA games like Rockstar’s “Red Dead Redemption 2” are now looking forward to new ventures, leveraging those hard-earned abilities.

Creators who have been deeply involved in game development for many years might be motivated to exert greater influence over the process, given numerous potential reasons. Notably, experienced developers with vast knowledge are increasingly dedicating their time and expertise to the creation of innovative intellectual properties by emerging companies. For instance, Stig Asmussen’s newly established studio, Giant Skull, is currently developing a single-player action game featuring talent from hit games like God of War and Star Wars Jedi. Another studio is also in the process of launching a new game.

Dr. Sajid Farooq, a former Microsoft executive, along with James Rackliffe, the developer behind “Red Dead Redemption 2,” have launched ILHAM, a studio dedicated to creating games reflecting Middle Eastern and Indian Subcontinental cultural viewpoints. Farooq, who previously led DirectX at Microsoft, asserts that gamers are eager for innovative concepts, which is why he has teamed up with Rackliffe, an ex-EA director with technical QA experience on the critically acclaimed “Red Dead Redemption 2,” to bring this vision to life.

Industry Veterans Form ILHAM

The debut game by ILHAM is characterized as an immersive, open-world survival title for both PC and consoles, with the creators aiming to stretch the boundaries not just of the genre, but also the abilities of the players. This suggests a richly layered experience that will also present challenges for seasoned gamers to uncover unique aspects. While games like The Last of Us and Resident Evil 7, which are notable entries in the survival gaming genre, do not offer insights into the specific cultural element ILHAM intends to showcase with its upcoming release.

Developing an engaging survival title with a captivating storyline and intricate gameplay is no small feat, yet seasoned game developers seem to be joining forces in the formation of new studios with this aim. Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser recently launched Absurd Ventures, aimed at delivering gamers another immersive, narrative-driven adventure IP. Moreover, James Rackliffe’s ILHAM aspires to delve into Middle Eastern folklore and mysticism in ways that are seldom seen in current games, potentially paving new ground for both players and developers alike.

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2024-11-05 07:03