Paramount Games Unveils Ambitious Future Under New Studio Structure
2026 marks a significant year for Paramount’s gaming endeavors, with the consolidation of all its gaming divisions into the newly established Paramount Games Studio. This strategic move brings together existing gaming operations with Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media, entities that were notably absent from the initial Paramount-Skydance merger in 2025. The studio is now fully operational and poised to deliver major franchise hits, a prospect significantly bolstered by the acquisition of a vast catalog of beloved franchises under a single, unified banner. This impressive portfolio is expected to grow further, pending regulatory approval for Warner Bros. Discovery’s substantial $110 billion acquisition.
Shawn Kittelsen, Senior Vice President at Paramount Games, recently offered insights into the studio’s current priorities and future aspirations to Stephen Totilo of Game File. His revelations shed light on the titles currently in development and provided much-anticipated updates on several high-profile projects.
Reviving a Legend: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin
The highly anticipated revival of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is in the capable hands of PlatinumGames. Renowned for their mastery of the action genre, with acclaimed titles such as Bayonetta and Nier: Automata to their name, the developer is well-equipped to tackle this gritty narrative.
This project initially began under a different publisher, but that iteration was ultimately scrapped. Paramount Games has since breathed new life into the concept, entrusting its development to PlatinumGames. It’s worth noting that this studio has prior experience with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IP, having developed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan for Activision back in 2016.
The narrative of The Last Ronin is set to focus on Michelangelo, the sole surviving Turtle in a bleak, dystopian future version of the TMNT universe known as the Roninverse. Kittelsen explained the rationale behind this pairing: “On the face of it, the pairing of Platinum and The Last Ronin made a lot of sense just from a genre fit standpoint.” This suggests a game that could potentially feature intense gore and visceral close-combat sequences, a style that PlatinumGames has consistently showcased with both aesthetic flair and undeniable grit.
Entering the Arena: Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game
Generating considerable pre-release buzz, Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is an externally developed title poised to make waves in the competitive fighting game scene. Set within the rich universe of Avatar, this game is slated to be one of the inaugural releases under the new Paramount Games Group. This 1v1, high-octane fighter, featuring a roster of characters spanning both eras of Avatar, has the potential to become a serious contender in its genre. With a release date set for July, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how it performs.
An RPG Saga Shelved: Avatar: The Last Airbender AAA RPG
In collaboration with Saber Interactive, Paramount Games had embarked on an ambitious project to bring the Avatar universe to the role-playing game (RPG) realm with an Avatar: The Last Airbender AAA RPG. This game was intended to explore an era predating Aang’s existence by thousands of years, allowing players to inhabit the role of a new, original character. However, Kittelsen has confirmed that this particular project has been shelved for the time being. He indicated that a revival could be possible in the future, contingent on finding the “right team at the right time.”
A World War II Epic: Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Shawn Kittelsen has emphatically declared Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra as a top priority for the new Paramount Games Group. The Skydance team is spearheading the development of this World War II-era adventure game. Crucially, the project has remained on track following the merger, and Skydance’s original commitment to its release date remains firm. The development team is intensely focused on crafting a title that centers around iconic Marvel heroes Captain America and Black Panther.
Whispers from a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Untitled Star Wars Game
Further underscoring Skydance’s involvement, an announcement in 2022 revealed that the team would also be developing a new game set in the Star Wars universe. This project marks a significant return for Amy Hennig to the franchise, following her previous work on it during her tenure at Electronic Arts (EA).
This is expected to be a narrative-driven experience, placing storytelling at its core. Given Hennig’s history with the highly anticipated but ultimately shelved Star Wars project, Project Ragtag, this new endeavor is sure to generate considerable excitement. While rumored to be in development, this Star Wars game is likely taking a secondary focus, with the Skydance team dedicating its primary resources to Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Beyond the Horizon: Unannounced VR Successors
Adding to the slate of upcoming titles, the former Skydance VR team, known for their acclaimed VR titles such as The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, is reportedly working on an unannounced game. This new project, however, will be a non-VR title designed for both PC and consoles. Further details on this venture are scarce at present.
Beyond these specific titles, Kittelsen highlighted the “Big Four” of Paramount’s priority franchises: TMNT, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Trek, and SpongeBob SquarePants. This strategic focus suggests that fans can anticipate further updates and new game announcements concerning the Star Trek and SpongeBob SquarePants intellectual properties in the near future.
