Halo, Battlefield devs form Tyrant

Lead designers on Bungie's and EA's acclaimed shooters go rogue with new Seattle-based studios; concept art hints title as ESP.

One of the first buzz words to arise in 2008 appears to be "consolidation," a reaction to the flurry of mergers and buyouts that dominated the tail end of 2007. However, the gaming industry is nothing if not a cyclical one, and as established studios get gobbled up, new studios are formed to carry on the indie tradition. The latest is Seattle, Washington-based Tyrant Studios, headed up by Hardy LeBel and Anders Hejdenberg.


A look into the future?

While the two may not be household names, they are no strangers to the industry. A 14-year industry veteran, LeBel has been credited as lead designer on Bungie's Halo: Combat Evolved and Oni, as well as design consultant on Halo 2. LeBel also served as design director for Microsoft Games Studios--contributing to such titles as Jade Empire and Dungeon Seige 2--and creative director for Zipper Interactive, working on SOCOM 3 and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo.

Hejdenberg boasts an equally glowing resume, having served as lead designer for Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, design consultant for Battlefield 2142, and project director for 2003's Futurama. Still a tight-knit outfit, the Tyrant team comprises seven members, with credits including Interstate '76, Spider-Man, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Midnight Club 2, Alter Echo, Crimson Skies (PC), Cel Damage, and Viva Piñata: Party Animals.

Aside from a solitary piece of concept art, no details on Tyrant's first original project, titled ESP, have been announced. However, the studio did say that it is currently shopping the title around to various publishers.

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