How Ascendant Studios defied AAA industry trends to create the ambitious magic-shooter Immortals of Aveum
The Visionary Foundation
Immortals of Aveum represents a remarkable achievement in modern game development, emerging from a startup studio with the ambition to challenge AAA conventions. Here’s an in-depth exploration of how this groundbreaking project came together against industry odds.
Breaking into the AAA space with an original IP requires exceptional vision and execution. Ascendant Studios, led by veteran director Bret Robbins, achieved this rare feat by maintaining unwavering creative direction throughout development. In today’s risk-averse gaming landscape, their success offers valuable lessons for aspiring developers.
Experiencing Aveum firsthand reveals not just technical polish but the tangible results of sustained creative conviction. Original intellectual properties backed by major funding have become increasingly scarce as publishers favor established franchises. The financial calculus typically discourages betting on unproven concepts at this scale.
Creating a fresh universe with distinctive gameplay mechanics while maintaining triple-A production values represents an extraordinary challenge. How did a newly assembled development team accomplish what many established studios wouldn’t attempt? We obtained exclusive insights from creative director Bret Robbins to understand their development philosophy.
From modest beginnings with a core team to full-scale production involving over one hundred developers, here’s the compelling story behind Immortals of Aveum’s evolution at Ascendant Studios.
Throughout Robbins’ distinguished career directing acclaimed titles including Dead Space and multiple Call of Duty installments, one guiding principle consistently shaped his approach: maintaining absolute “clarity of vision.”
He emphasizes that ensuring every team member comprehends the complete creative direction proves essential for project success. This foundational philosophy guided studio formation at Ascendant, where Robbins possessed precise understanding of his inaugural project and communicated this clearly during recruitment.
Japanese game studio forces applicants to draw in front of them to avoid AI
God of War exec says big studios must stop relying on $100M blockbusters to save gaming
Invincible VS devs love Marvel Tokon & 2XKO, but they’re carving their own path
Building a New AAA Studio
“Reviewing the initial design documents and narrative outline from five years back reveals striking consistency with the final product,” Robbins observed.
“Several foundational pillars defined the experience from inception. I envisioned dynamic spell-combining combat systems, an epic narrative scope, and specific character archetypes that appear in the finished game. Collaborating with our lead writer enhanced execution, but the essential framework remained intact.”
For five continuous years, Robbins maintained steadfast dedication to his original concept. Consequently, developers joining the initiative understood precisely what they were committing to. Major elements from narrative structure to core gameplay mechanics were established early. “Our direction never wavered or fundamentally changed,” he stated. “We committed to delivering a cinematic magic-shooter experience and remained faithful to that vision.”
However, Aveum distinguishes itself from conventional game development. Unlike previous Robbins-helmed projects like Call of Duty that benefited from established reference points, this venture operated without comparable benchmarks. As an original universe featuring innovative gameplay integration, recruitment required pitching concepts without direct analogues.
“Early recruitment relied primarily on design documentation,” he recalled. Initial team building utilized his comprehensive “60-page” design brief supplemented by “curated internet imagery illustrating potential visual direction.”
As prototyping advanced, project visualization during hiring became more effective. Early builds and demonstrations showcased during interviews generated significant enthusiasm among candidates excited by the prospect of pioneering fresh creative territory.
“We benefited tremendously from recruitment timing as developers sought innovative projects. Original games at this budget tier remain uncommon in AAA development. Team members recognized they could make meaningful contributions toward establishing a new franchise.”
With narrative foundation and structural blueprint established, development commenced in 2018. The initial phase involved extensive “experimentation,” Robbins explained, as the team refined core gameplay mechanics.
“Perfecting foundational gameplay represented our most significant challenge. Throughout the first year, we explored numerous approaches, some leading down unconventional paths that proved suboptimal.
“Approximately twelve months in, we focused on establishing core fundamentals. We prioritized creating exceptional shooter mechanics before implementing additional features. This approach yielded a combat demonstration that proved exceptionally compelling.”
Having experienced a substantial gameplay segment, the title’s innovation becomes undeniable. Immortals of Aveum transitions seamlessly between polished first-person shooting and strategic combat requiring tactical assessment of enemy formations, magical ability combinations, and positional advantages. This sophisticated integration of familiar elements produces genuinely novel gameplay.
This distinctive gameplay approach secured Ascendant Studios’ collaboration with Electronic Arts, Robbins disclosed. Initial outreach occurred “during early development” before demo creation, meeting initial reluctance. However, after hands-on experience with the innovative combat systems, “EA became genuinely enthusiastic upon witnessing the concept. The combat demonstration’s strength proved decisive.”
Creating Gaming’s Next Big Franchise
The most impressive aspect emerging from recent hands-on sessions and earlier virtual presentations involves Aveum’s remarkable depth. Extensive lore spanning decades supports the central narrative, with multiple conflicting factions possessing distinct motivations. In-game storytelling proves exceptionally rich, suggesting this initial release merely introduces a much broader universe.
Although operating under the EA Originals banner, Robbins clarified the arrangement focuses exclusively on marketing and distribution. Crucially, “Ascendant maintains intellectual property ownership” and exercises “absolute creative authority.” Consequently, the studio retains complete control over their creation’s future, with team members demonstrating “substantial ambition for potential expansions.”
Ultimately, as anticipated, commercial and critical reception will determine future directions, Robbins acknowledged. Should the debut title resonate with audiences and inspire genuine attachment to its world, subsequent possibilities appear virtually limitless. “I possess numerous additional narratives to explore.”
Indeed, Robbins subtly confirmed supplemental lore materials in development to further expand this compelling universe. “Additional world-building content may be underway,” he remarked with amused acknowledgment.
When Ascendant Studios publicly announced in 2019, Robbins articulated ambitious objectives. He initially expressed intentions to create “a major title comparable to gaming’s finest achievements.”
Four years later, with Immortals of Aveum approaching its July 20 launch, we concluded our discussion by referencing this original goal and inquiring whether he believes they’ve achieved their initial aspirations.
“I genuinely consider this game competitive with any current release,” he responded confidently. “I believe it will profoundly impress players. I feel tremendous pride in our accomplishment. I’m convinced we’ve created something exceptional.”
For developers considering original IP creation: Start with comprehensive design documents, build a team that shares your vision, and prioritize core gameplay mechanics before expanding features. The success of Immortals of Aveum demonstrates that original concepts can thrive in AAA spaces with proper execution and unwavering vision.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Interview: Immortals of Aveum creator Bret Robbins delves into game’s unlikely creation How Ascendant Studios defied AAA industry trends to create the ambitious magic-shooter Immortals of Aveum