Respawn CEO Takes Over DICE LA, Plans Studio Name Change, Unannounced Game
It’s unknown at this time what DICE LA will be renamed as. The studio has often served as a support studio for DICE in Stockholm, Sweden where the company was originally founded. Zampella says that with a new studio name he wants to give the developer “a new image. We want people to say, ‘This is a destination you can go and make new content.’”
As for Respawn, Zampella says his ongoing role there will be something more akin to that of a “head coach.” The different branches of Respawn are being overseen by different members of a leadership team.
Stig Asmussen, director of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, will oversee the narrative-driven branch; Apex Legends will be overseen by Chad Grenier; and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, the new VR game, is being overseen by Peter Hirschmann.
Respawn had a banner year in 2019. In February, the company surprise-released the battle-royale shooter Apex Legends to critical acclaim. The studio then followed that up by releasing the single-player Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in November.Like Apex Legends, Jedi: Fallen Order was well-received. It was also the second best-selling game of November according to the NPD Group. You can read IGN’s full Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order coverage including our review here, walkthroughs, and more.
Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.