Wow, what a journey it's been watching Stig Asmussen's career unfold! I still remember playing God of War back in the day and little did I know I was experiencing the early work of someone who would eventually redefine Star Wars gaming. Fast forward to 2025, and here I am, absolutely thrilled about Asmussen's latest move - founding Giant Skull, his own AAA game studio in Los Angeles.

Let me break down why this is such a big deal. Asmussen isn't just some random developer; this guy has serious pedigree. He spent nearly a decade at Sony's Santa Monica Studio, starting as a lead environment artist for the original God of War in 2005. Talk about starting from the bottom! He worked his way up to becoming art director for God of War 2 and ultimately directed God of War 3. That's like going from minor leagues to World Series MVP material.

But wait, there's more! After leaving Santa Monica in 2014, Asmussen joined Respawn Entertainment under industry legend Vince Zampella. This is where the magic really happened. He directed both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - games that basically saved EA's Star Wars license after those disappointing Battlefront releases. Jedi: Survivor launched in 2023 to universal acclaim, becoming one of the best titles of the year and leaving fans like me desperate for the confirmed third installment.

Now here's the tea - Asmussen dropped this bombshell in late 2023 when he announced his departure from Respawn to start Giant Skull. The studio name alone gives me chills - it sounds so bold and confident, just like Asmussen's game design philosophy.

What's really exciting me about Giant Skull is the dream team they're assembling. The studio has developers from Epic Games, Riot Games, and obviously veterans from Asmussen's previous projects. We're talking people who worked on heavy hitters like:

• Valorant - Riot's tactical shooter that took the esports world by storm

• Fortnite - The cultural phenomenon that needs no introduction

• League of Legends - The MOBA that defined a generation

• And of course, the God of War and Star Wars Jedi franchises

This isn't just some startup with fresh graduates; this is an all-star team with proven track records. The studio confirmed they're working on a third-person AAA single-player action adventure title using Unreal Engine 5. Given Asmussen's history, I'm expecting something with tight combat, epic storytelling, and jaw-dropping visuals.

Here's what really gets my gears turning - with EA's Star Wars exclusivity ending, there's a possibility Giant Skull could work on a new Star Wars title. Now that would be something! Though it would have no connection to Respawn's Jedi games, imagining what Asmussen could do with complete creative freedom in that universe gives me goosebumps.

But let's be real - the gaming industry moves at lightning speed, and building a new studio from scratch takes time. Asmussen and his team are basically building the plane while flying it. We probably won't see anything concrete from Giant Skull for a couple of years, but man, the anticipation is already killing me!

What I appreciate most about this move is the timing. The gaming industry needs more visionary-led studios focused on quality single-player experiences. With live service games dominating the landscape, having someone of Asmussen's caliber dedicated to crafting immersive, story-driven adventures feels like a breath of fresh air.

The big question on everyone's mind is whether Giant Skull will self-publish or partner with established publishers like 505 Games, Private Division, or even Epic Games. Each option has its pros and cons, but given Asmussen's track record, I wouldn't be surprised if multiple publishers are already knocking on his door.

As a gamer who's followed Asmussen's career from God of War through the Jedi series, I can't help but feel optimistic. This feels like when your favorite band goes solo and you just know they're about to drop their best work yet. The combination of Asmussen's directorial vision and this incredible talent pool has all the ingredients for something truly special.

So here I am in 2025, patiently waiting for Giant Skull's first reveal. Will it be a new IP? A fresh take on an established franchise? Whatever it is, if it has Asmussen's signature touch of combining visceral combat with emotional storytelling, count me in. The gaming landscape is about to get a lot more interesting, and I for one can't wait to see what this Giant Skull has in store for us.