Day 4 Night: Veteran Game Developers Launch New Studio with Support from Krafton and 1Up Ventures

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Published on: October 04, 2024

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Day 4 Night: Veteran Game Developers Launch New Studio with Support from Krafton and 1Up Ventures The video game industry has long been shaped by visionary developers and bold creative partnerships.

In a significant development for gaming enthusiasts and industry observers alike, Davide Soliani—celebrated for his directorial work on Ubisoft's Mario + Rabbids franchise—has announced the foundation of a new studio, Day 4 Night, alongside industry veteran Christian Cantamessa, lead designer and writer for Red Dead Redemption. A Legacy of Innovation and Creative Leadership Davide Soliani has been a key figure at Ubisoft for over twenty-five years, spending more than a decade dedicated to Nintendo-exclusive titles, most notably the acclaimed Mario + Rabbids series for the Nintendo Switch.

His leadership brought fresh mechanics and heartfelt storytelling to established franchises, helping the series reach critical and commercial success on Nintendo hardware.

In July 2024, Soliani revealed his departure from Ubisoft, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in his games industry journey. Joining Soliani is Christian Cantamessa, a designer and writer recognized for his pivotal roles in industry-defining titles such as Red Dead Redemption, Perfect Dark, and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Together, these creative minds bring a wealth of experience in both storytelling and systemic design, promising an exciting future for Day 4 Night. Day 4 Night: Vision Backed by Industry Heavyweights Day 4 Night is setting up shop with funding support from Krafton, the South Korean game publisher renowned for titles like PUBG, and 1Up Ventures, an investment group led by Xbox co-creator Ed Fries.

The studio benefits from a team of "award-winning multidisciplinary industry veterans" who have worked collaboratively for over 15 years, highlighting an impressive collective pedigree. Soliani described the studio's mission as crafting games that encapsulate the full range of player emotion and adventure.

"Our work at Day 4 Night reflects everything I seek in gaming: joy, action, adventure, and the camaraderie of collaboration.

It's about dreaming big, overcoming challenges, and creating worlds from scratch with the people I trust most in this industry," he shared in a statement, underscoring the heartfelt ambitions at the studio's core. Krafton emphasized that the project proposal stood out for its originality and creative vision.

"This pitch is among the most imaginative we've evaluated in some time," said Ed Fries of 1Up Ventures.

The backing from Krafton and 1Up Ventures is expected to accelerate the team’s efforts to develop groundbreaking new intellectual property. International Footprint, Ambitious Goals With offices established in both Los Angeles, California, and Milan, Italy, Day 4 Night positions itself as an independent game development studio focused on narrative innovation and design.

The team aims to create deeply personal and original gaming experiences, leveraging their international presence to attract a diverse talent pool and reach a global audience. Although specific details about their debut IP have yet to be revealed, the combined track record of Soliani, Cantamessa, and their seasoned collaborators promises projects that will command attention from Nintendo Switch fans and the wider gaming community.

As anticipation builds, Day 4 Night is poised to become a notable player in the evolution of modern video game development.

Mario Red Day 4 Night Red Dead Redemption Christian Cantamessa Davide Soliani Krafton 1Up Ventures Ubisoft Perfect Dark Shadow of Mordor Nintendo Switch

Mario + Rabbids Director Davide Soliani Launches New Studio, Working On Original IP