Giant Squid (company) explained
Giant Squid is an American independent video game development company located in Santa Monica, California. Founded by several ex-thatgamecompany staff in March 2013, the studio is most known for developing Abzû (2016) and The Pathless (2020).
History
Giant Squid was founded in 2013 by Matt Nava, who previously worked at thatgamecompany as the art director for Flower (2009) and Journey (2012).[1] Nava was joined by lead designer Nicholas Clark, and the composer for Journey, Austin Wintory.[2] TV and film production company The Ink Factory also helped co-found the company, and was involved in providing funding for the studio's projects.[3] The studio is located in Santa Monica, California.[4]
At E3 2014, the company announced sea exploration game Abzû as their debut title.[5] Development lasted three years, and the team partnered with publisher 505 Games to release the game in August 2016. The game received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising the game's visual style and music.[6] The studio's next project was The Pathless, which was released by publisher Annapurna Interactive in November 2020.[7]
Games
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher |
|---|
| 2016 | Abzû | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | 505 Games |
| 2020 | The Pathless | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Apple Arcade (macOS, iOS and tvOS) | Annapurna Interactive |
| TBA | Sword of the Sea | Windows, PlayStation 5 | Giant Squid | |
Notes and References
- Former Journey And Flower Art Director Opens Own Studio. Kyle. Hilliard. Game Informer. March 2, 2013. November 17, 2020. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126025701/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/02/former-journey-and-flower-art-director-opens-own-studio.aspx. dead.
- Web site: Journey art director reveals new game studio, Giant Squid. Megan. Farokhmanesh. Polygon. March 3, 2013. November 17, 2020. November 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111232258/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/3/4059130/journey-art-director-reveals-new-game-studio-giant-squid. live.
- Web site: Giant Squid partially owned by film production company. Brenna. Hillier. VG 247. April 11, 2013. November 17, 2020. June 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210622081703/https://www.vg247.com/2013/04/11/giant-squid-partially-owned-by-film-production-company/. live.
- Web site: Matt Nava: From Journey to Giant Squid. Rachel. Weber. Gameindustry.biz. June 4, 2013. November 17, 2020. August 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811150237/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-04-from-journey-to-giant-squid. live.
- Web site: E3 2014: Debut Game from Journey Art Director's Studio Announced, Called Abzu. Carolyn. Petit. GameSpot. June 17, 2014. November 17, 2020. August 6, 2016. https://archive.today/20160806031307/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-debut-game-from-journey-art-director-s-studio-announced-called-abzu/1100-6420282/. live.
- Web site: E3 2016: Abzu Release Date Announced. Matt. Porter. IGN. June 14, 2016. November 17, 2020. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104343/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/e3-2016-abzu-release-date-announced. live.
- Web site: Abzû studio Giant Squid unveils beautiful forest adventure The Pathless. Matt. Wales. Eurogamer. December 7, 2018. September 21, 2020. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104150815/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-07-abzu-studio-giant-squid-unveils-beautiful-forest-adventure-the-pathless. live.
