Activision’s mysterious Elsewhere Entertainment studio has finally revealed what it’s been working on since its formation in 2024. According to a recent job listing for a Senior Cinematic Animator, the Warsaw-based team is developing an open world RPG set in a completely new IP. This marks one of Activision’s most ambitious departures from Call of Duty in recent memory, bringing together talent from The Last of Us, The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, and other industry-defining franchises.
The job posting specifically describes the project as “our next AAA title – an Open World RPG set in a new, epic IP,” finally giving fans concrete details about what the studio has been quietly building. While Activision announced Elsewhere Entertainment back in May 2024, the company remained tight-lipped about specifics, only promising a “narrative-based and genre-defining AAA franchise.” Now we know exactly what that means.
From Call of Duty Factory to RPG Dreamland
Elsewhere Entertainment’s origins trace back to Infinity Ward’s Poland branch in Krakow, which originally opened in 2017 as a research and development studio supporting Call of Duty development. But behind the scenes, something more ambitious was brewing. As early as 2019, creative director Michael Wanat began working on an unannounced action RPG that featured mechanics-rich design, extensive worldbuilding across multiple cultures and environments, and even custom lore books detailing fictional languages and histories.
The project spent years in stealth development before Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision accelerated its transformation into a standalone studio. In May 2024, Activision officially unveiled Elsewhere Entertainment as an independent internal studio with headquarters in Warsaw and additional resources in the United States and now Sweden (specifically Malmo). The team was essentially spun off from Infinity Ward’s Polish operations, allowing developers who had been quietly crafting an RPG to finally work on it full-time without Call of Duty obligations.
Star-Studded Development Team
What makes Elsewhere Entertainment particularly intriguing is its roster of veteran talent. The studio has attracted storytellers and designers from some of gaming’s most beloved franchises. Reports suggest approximately 75% of the team came from CD Projekt Red, the Polish powerhouse behind The Witcher trilogy and Cyberpunk 2077. Other team members previously worked on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and Uncharted series, Bungie’s Destiny, Ubisoft’s The Division and Far Cry franchises, and FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
This concentration of narrative-focused developers signals Activision’s serious commitment to creating something that stands apart from their typical output. The studio has “full access to Activision’s resources and tools” according to the original announcement, giving them AAA production capabilities without the constraints that often come with publisher oversight. Microsoft’s ownership appears to have enabled this creative freedom, allowing Activision to diversify beyond annual shooter releases.
Building a Custom Engine for Ambition
One of the most revealing details about Elsewhere’s project is their decision to build an entirely new game engine rather than using existing technology like Unreal Engine or the IW engine that powers Call of Duty. This choice speaks volumes about the scope and ambition of their open world RPG. Developers at studios like Warhorse Studios (Kingdom Come: Deliverance II) and Pearl Abyss (Crimson Desert) have publicly discussed how Unreal Engine struggles with certain types of massive open world games, particularly those with complex simulation systems and dense environmental detail.
Creating a bespoke engine is expensive and time-consuming, but it allows developers to optimize specifically for their vision. Given that the team includes former Infinity Ward engine specialists who previously worked on Call of Duty’s impressive tech, they have the expertise to pull this off. The new engine likely needs to handle open world streaming, complex NPC behaviors, robust multiplayer functionality, and whatever narrative systems the team has designed for their story-driven experience.
Multiplayer Elements and Transmedia Plans
Early rumors and hiring patterns suggest Elsewhere’s RPG won’t be purely single-player. Job listings from 2025 hinted at multiplayer components, though the exact nature remains unclear. Will it be co-op gameplay like Elden Ring? A shared world experience like Destiny? Competitive multiplayer modes? The inclusion of multiplayer in a narrative-focused RPG presents interesting design challenges, especially when the studio emphasizes storytelling above all else.
Activision’s original announcement also included intriguing language about creating “a franchise with an enduring legacy that resonates far beyond games.” This phrasing strongly suggests transmedia ambitions – potentially television series, films, novels, or other media extensions. With video game adaptations like The Last of Us, Fallout, and The Witcher proving massively successful on streaming platforms, Activision clearly wants to build an IP that can sustain cross-media storytelling from day one.
When Will We Actually See This Game
Here’s where expectations need to be managed. Based on development timelines and the studio’s formation date, Elsewhere Entertainment’s open world RPG is still years away from release. If the project truly began in earnest around 2022-2024, and considering the complexity of building both a new engine and a massive open world game, we’re realistically looking at a 2028-2030 launch window at the earliest. Some industry observers believe it won’t arrive until the next generation of consoles beyond PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The fact that they’re still hiring senior positions like cinematic animators in early 2026 suggests the game remains in active development with significant work ahead. AAA open world RPGs typically require 5-7 years of development, and that’s when using established engines and tools. With a custom engine in the mix, that timeline could extend even further. However, Microsoft’s deep pockets and Activision’s production expertise could potentially accelerate certain aspects of development.
What This Means for Activision’s Future
Elsewhere Entertainment represents a significant strategic shift for Activision. For over a decade, the publisher has focused almost exclusively on Call of Duty, with occasional side projects like Sekiro (which they only published, not developed). The closure of Toys for Bob’s relationship with Activision and the company’s transformation into a Call of Duty factory left many wondering if creative diversity would ever return to the brand.
Microsoft’s acquisition appears to have changed that calculation. With the resources of Xbox Game Studios behind them and pressure to deliver exclusive content for Game Pass, Activision now has room to take creative risks. An original open world RPG developed by narrative specialists could become a flagship exclusive that justifies the platform, especially if it achieves the critical acclaim of The Witcher 3 or Elden Ring. The timing is also strategic – by the late 2020s, the gaming landscape will be hungry for fresh AAA RPGs, and Activision wants to be positioned to deliver.
| Studio Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 2024 (officially announced) |
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland |
| Additional Locations | Malmo, Sweden; United States |
| Project Type | Open World RPG (New IP) |
| Key Talent From | CD Projekt Red, Naughty Dog, Bungie, Ubisoft |
| Engine | Custom-built (not IW Engine or Unreal) |
| Expected Release | 2028-2030 (estimated) |
FAQs
What is Elsewhere Entertainment working on?
Elsewhere Entertainment is developing an open world RPG set in a brand new IP. The game is described as a AAA title with narrative focus, featuring an epic setting created by veterans from franchises like The Witcher, The Last of Us, and Cyberpunk 2077.
Is this game related to Call of Duty?
No. Activision and IGN have confirmed that Elsewhere Entertainment’s project is completely separate from the Call of Duty franchise. This is Activision’s attempt to create an original IP that moves beyond their typical military shooter focus.
When will Elsewhere Entertainment’s RPG be released?
No official release date has been announced. Based on the studio’s formation timeline (2024) and typical AAA RPG development cycles, industry analysts estimate a release window between 2028 and 2030. The game may even launch on next-generation consoles beyond the current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Will the game have multiplayer features?
Evidence suggests yes, though specifics remain unclear. Early job listings and reports indicate the open world RPG will include some form of multiplayer component alongside its narrative focus, though whether that means co-op, shared world experiences, or competitive modes hasn’t been revealed.
What engine is Elsewhere Entertainment using?
Elsewhere Entertainment is building a completely custom game engine for their RPG rather than using Unreal Engine or Activision’s existing IW Engine. This decision suggests they need specialized technology to achieve their ambitious open world vision that existing engines can’t adequately support.
Why did Activision create this studio?
Elsewhere Entertainment allows Activision to diversify beyond Call of Duty and create original narrative-driven franchises. Following Microsoft’s acquisition, the company has resources and incentive to develop exclusive content that can anchor Xbox Game Pass and appeal to RPG audiences who don’t typically engage with military shooters.
How big is the development team?
While exact numbers haven’t been disclosed, reports indicate approximately 75% of the team came from CD Projekt Red, with additional hires from Naughty Dog, Bungie, and other major studios. The studio continues actively hiring across multiple disciplines, suggesting a growing team size as production ramps up.
The Long Road Ahead
Elsewhere Entertainment’s open world RPG confirmation finally answers questions that have lingered since the studio’s announcement nearly two years ago. What started as a secret project tucked inside Infinity Ward’s Polish branch has evolved into Activision’s most ambitious creative gamble in over a decade. With elite talent, substantial resources, and the freedom to build something genuinely new, the studio has everything it needs to succeed.
The challenge now is execution and patience. Building a AAA open world RPG is brutally difficult even under ideal circumstances. Creating a new IP, new engine, and new gameplay systems simultaneously multiplies that complexity. But if Elsewhere Entertainment can deliver on its promise of a narrative-driven, genre-defining experience, it could reshape perceptions of what Activision is capable of producing. For now, we wait and watch as one of gaming’s most intriguing mystery projects slowly comes into focus.