Sponsored By

Activision Vets Form Hardcore 'First Person Social' Studio

Activision veterans Dusty Welch and Chris Archer are heading Bellevue's U4iA, which is developing a "new hardcore freemium, first-person social game" due next year.

Frank Cifaldi, Contributor

November 17, 2011

1 Min Read
Game Developer logo in a gray background | Game Developer

Two Activision veterans have formed a new Bellevue studio focused on bringing hardcore game experiences to the social world. U4iA was formed by former Activision publishing head Dusty Welch and former Activision Publishing executive producer Chris Archer. Combined, the duo claim 34 years of video game experience across over 50 shipped titles. The studio is creating a "first-person social" game, a term the company has trademarked. "Playtime and dollars are starting to migrate from console to casual and/or mobile gaming and a new segment is emerging – the hardcore social gamer," Welch said in a statement. The company recently raised $1.5 million in an initial angel investment round, with a second round said to be in the works. Its initial release is set to debut in 2012.

Read more about:

2011

About the Author

Frank Cifaldi

Contributor

Frank Cifaldi is a freelance writer and contributing news editor at Gamasutra. His past credentials include being senior editor at 1UP.com, editorial director and community manager for Turner Broadcasting's GameTap games-on-demand service, and a contributing author to publications that include Edge, Wired, Nintendo Official Magazine UK and GamesIndustry.biz, among others. He can be reached at [email protected].

Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox

You May Also Like