Ex-developers of MultiVersus are venturing into new territory with the creation of an independent studio, Airlock Games, distancing themselves from the "horrific" environment of the AAA industry

A team of directors previously with Warner Bros.' MultiVersus has initiated their independent venture, leading to the creation of Airlock Games.

Following the cessation of MultiVersus on May 30, Warner Bros. Discovery's leaders shared that the platform fighting game did not meet performance expectations. President David Zaslav and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels noted that their gaming sector was "substantially underperforming its potential," as discussed with investors.

Justin Fischer and Brock Feldman, who noted their experience of being "laid off eleven times" collectively, have now embarked on establishing their studio.

On their website, Fischer and Feldman express their concerns about the western AAA gaming industry's state after the pandemic, describing recent trends as dire. They criticize legacy companies' approach to market challenges, which includes large-scale layoffs and reliance on outdated intellectual properties. These companies' reliance on superficial strategies rather than innovation, according to Fischer and Feldman, is evident as they continue to falter yet persist with the same tactics.

Opting for independence from large corporations, they state, "We decided to try something a little different" instead of accepting their future with "corporate overlords."

The duo's first project, "What the Stars Forgot," is set to debut as an early access title on Steam in December, with a Kickstarter campaign already in motion.