Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Is in Development at PlatinumGames
Paramount has made a major move in the video game industry with the announcement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, a new AAA action-adventure game being developed by PlatinumGames. Known for their work on the Bayonetta series and Nier: Automata, PlatinumGames brings a strong pedigree in action and narrative-driven games to this project. The game is based on the popular comic book series and follows the last surviving Ninja Turtle on a quest for vengeance. While details are still sparse, the game is expected to release on consoles and PC.
This project marks the beginning of a broader push by Paramount Games Studio, a newly formed entity that unites all of Paramount and Skydance's gaming divisions, including Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media. The studio is not only working on the Turtles game but also publishing Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, which had previously been delayed. This indicates a major commitment from Paramount to enter the triple-A gaming space with high-quality, franchise-driven titles.
The Turtles Project: A New Era for a Beloved Franchise
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin game was first revealed during the Summer Game Fest showcase, with details highlighting its potential as a high-profile action title. However, it's worth noting that an earlier version of the game was in development at Black Forest Games, a studio under the Embracer Group. That project was ultimately scrapped, and Paramount confirmed to IGN that the current development is being handled by PlatinumGames.
According to Shawn Kittelsen, senior vice president and head of creative and production at Paramount Games Studio, the decision to move the project to PlatinumGames was a natural fit. He compared the project's ambition to Nier: Automata, noting that the studio's reputation for high-quality action titles made them the ideal choice for the Turtles franchise.
A Strategic Approach to Game Development
When asked about the formation of Paramount Games Studio, Kittelsen emphasized the shift in how Paramount approaches games. Previously, the company relied on licensing its properties to third-party developers, with little direct involvement in the creative or production process. Now, with the new studio, Paramount is treating games as a core content pillar, on par with film and television.
This new approach allows the studio to invest directly in game development and publishing, ensuring a higher level of quality and creative control. As a result, fans of franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Trek, and Avatar: The Last Airbender can expect to see more ambitious, triple-A games in the future.
Kittelsen also confirmed that Paramount Games Studio is building its own internal development capabilities. Skydance New Media, co-founded by Amy Hennig, is currently working on Marvel 1943, while Skydance Interactive has experience in VR titles like The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Behemoth. Both teams will be publishing games under the Paramount banner in the future, focusing on both existing franchises and new original IP.
The studio plans to take a mixed approach to development, combining first-party projects with third-party collaborations and licensing where appropriate. This ensures a balance between creative control and the ability to leverage the expertise of other developers in the industry.
What's Next for Paramount Games Studio?
With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin at the forefront of its development slate, Paramount Games Studio is clearly aiming to make a statement in the gaming world. The decision to partner with PlatinumGames signals a commitment to quality and innovation, while the broader strategy of building in-house capabilities suggests a long-term vision for the studio.
As the 2020s continue to reshape the gaming landscape, Paramount is taking a measured, strategic approach to its expansion. The goal is to deliver high-quality games that fans can trust and enjoy, while also exploring new IP that could evolve across multiple media formats.
This is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting era for Paramount in the world of gaming.
