Renowned game developer Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, has recently announced his departure from the EA studio he founded in order to focus on the upcoming generation of Battlefield games.
Lehto, who previously played key roles at Bungie as art director and creative director for the Halo series, established Ridgeline Games in 2021. This Seattle-based studio is dedicated to developing a new single-player version of the popular Battlefield franchise, while other studios are working on multiplayer modes and a spin-off.
Fans have noticed that Lehto’s online profile, previously highlighting his involvement as a game director for Battlefield, has now been scrubbed of any references to EA or the Battlefield series.
Ridgeline Games is just one of the studios contributing to revamping the Battlefield franchise after the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042. EA has stated that Ridgeline is focused on creating engaging narratives and memorable characters within the Battlefield universe.
Simultaneously, Ripple Effect, based in Los Angeles, is working on a brand-new Battlefield experience to enhance and expand upon the franchise’s core elements. Previously known for supporting other studios, Ripple Effect collaborated with DICE on Battlefield 2042.
In December 2021, EA unveiled plans to establish a “connected Battlefield universe” and introduced significant changes in the franchise’s development structure. These changes included the departure of DICE’s former general manager and the appointment of Vince Zampella, co-founder of Respawn and Infinity Ward, to oversee the entire Battlefield franchise.
