Jason Blundell announces his new-new studio, Magic Fractal
Jason Blundell, a former creative lead on Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty: Black Ops series, has announced that he's formed a new development studio called Magic Fractal Studios . Blundell announced the studio on a livestream with former Dark Outlaw Games coworker JC Farmer, a little over a week after the previous studio was closed by Sony . Little is known about Magic Fractal beyond its logo and social media accounts. Dark Outlaw Games was similarly mysterious, and closed before it could even announce its first project. All that's known is what Blundell has shared after the studio was shut down: Dark Outlaw wasn't working on a live-service game . The distinction is notable, if only because live-service games have been connected to at least two notable studio closures in the past. Sony shut down Firewalk Studios in October 2024, not long after its live-service shooter Concord was released, and in February 2026, closed Bluepoint Games after its live-service game based on the God of War series was reportedly cancelled . Magic Fractal is Blundell's third studio after leaving Activision Blizzard in 2020. He formed Dark Outlaw Games with Sony's backing in March 2025 . Before that, he led Deviation Games, which was closed in 2024 and was reportedly also working on a game for PlayStation. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/jason-blundell-announces-his-new-new-studio-magic-fractal-201055837.html?src=rss
Jason Blundell, a prominent figure in the gaming industry known for his role as a creative lead on Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty: Black Ops series, has recently announced the formation of his latest studio, Magic Fractal Studios. This announcement came during a livestream event featuring JC Farmer, a former colleague from Blundell's previous studio, Dark Outlaw Games, which was closed by Sony just over a week prior.
The new studio, Magic Fractal, is shrouded in mystery, with only its logo and social media presence offering any insight into its operations. Dark Outlaw Games, Blundell's second studio, shared a similar enigmatic aura before its closure, having never even announced its first project. Following the shutdown, Blundell revealed that Dark Outlaw was not working on a live-service game, a detail that stands out given the recent history of such games being linked to studio closures.
Sony's decision to close Firewalk Studios in October 2024, shortly after the release of its live-service shooter Concord, and the subsequent closure of Bluepoint Games in February 2026 after reportedly cancelling a live-service game based on the God of War series, highlight the risks associated with this game model. Blundell's disclosure about Dark Outlaw's focus on non-live-service games may be an attempt to distance his new venture from these high-profile failures.
Magic Fractal marks Blundell's third foray into independent studio development since leaving Activision Blizzard in 2020. Following the closure of his first studio, Deviation Games, in 2024тАФwhich was reportedly working on a game for PlayStationтАФBlundell pivoted to form Dark Outlaw Games with Sony's backing in March 2025. Now, with Magic Fractal, he seems determined to carve out a new path in the industry.
The studio's origins are steeped in intrigue, as little is known about its current projects or team composition. However, Blundell's track record and experience in the industry may provide a foundation for success. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Magic Fractal's trajectory will be closely watched, particularly in the context of recent studio closures and the challenges posed by live-service games.
Blundell's decision to form Magic Fractal follows a pattern of perseverance in the face of adversity. With two previous studios under his belt and a history of working with major publishers like Sony, he brings a wealth of experience to his latest venture. The studio's mysterious beginnings may be a strategic move to avoid the pitfalls that led to the closure of Dark Outlaw and Deviation Games.
In the gaming industry, where innovation and adaptability are key, Blundell's new studio presents an intriguing development. As Magic Fractal begins its journey, gamers and industry insiders alike will be eager to see what the studio has in store. With a history of forming studios that have been enigmatic and short-lived, Blundell's third attempt at independent development will be closely scrutinized.
The announcement of Magic Fractal Studios comes at a time when the gaming industry is witnessing significant changes, with live-service games and large-scale studio projects facing scrutiny. Blundell's decision to avoid the live-service model, as indicated by his comments about Dark Outlaw, may reflect a broader trend towards more traditional game development approaches.
As Magic Fractal begins its journey, the studio's direction and goals remain uncertain. However, Blundell's experience and the lessons learned from his previous ventures may provide the foundation for a successful future. The gaming community will undoubtedly be watching closely as Magic Fractal navigates the complex landscape of the industry, striving to carve out a unique place for itself amidst the ever-changing landscape of game development.
