Robert Bowling, a former creative strategist at Infinity Ward known for his work on the Call of Duty franchise, has announced the formation of a new video game development studio based in Los Angeles. The studio operates under the name //18.bravo.
The announcement was made public via an industry report, confirming Bowling’s return to active game development after a period away from the triple-A spotlight.
Background on the Founder
Bowling was a prominent figure at Infinity Ward, the studio behind the blockbuster Call of Duty series, where he served as a creative strategist and communications manager. He departed the studio in 2012 following a high-profile legal dispute with publisher Activision. Since then, he has pursued other projects, including the independent development studio Robotoki, which was later dissolved.
His new venture, //18.bravo, signals a renewed commitment to game creation, though specific details regarding the studio’s first project have not yet been disclosed.
A Radically Different Approach
According to the announcement, //18.bravo is aiming for what Bowling described as a “radically different approach” to game development. While the founder did not elaborate on the exact nature of this philosophy, the statement suggests a focus on challenging conventional industry practices related to team structure, development cycles, or creative processes.
This approach aligns with broader industry trends where smaller, more agile studios are attempting to break away from the large-scale corporate production models that dominate major publishers. Bowling’s history at Infinity Ward, a studio once celebrated for its independent culture within a major publisher, may inform this new direction.
The studio’s name, //18.bravo, carries military phonetic alphabet significance, echoing themes prevalent in the modern military shooter genre that Bowling helped define. However, it remains unclear if the studio’s first title will fall within that genre.
Current Status and Next Steps
At this stage, //18.bravo is in its early formation phase. The Los Angeles location places the studio in a major hub for both established developers and emerging talent.
No specific timeline for a game announcement or release has been provided. Industry observers will be watching to see how the studio differentiates itself in a competitive market and whether its “radically different” approach yields concrete changes in development methodology or final product quality.
Further details regarding the studio’s first project, staffing plans, and publishing partnerships are expected to be released in the coming months.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
