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Red Dead Redemption writer and God of War producer among new hires at The Initiative

Studio head Darrell Gallagher reveals six names joining him at Microsoft's newest development house

The Initiative studio head Darrell Gallagher revealed on Friday that the Microsoft Game Studios developer has hired a raft of top talent.

Gallagher, himself a veteran of Activision, Square Enix, and Crystal Dynamics, announced via LinkedIn six names that will join him at the newly-formed studio.

The post has since been deleted, but ResetEra user CrimsonEclipse was able to save screenshot.

Red Dead Redemption and Shadow of Mordor lead writer and designer Christian Cantamessa will be joined by Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider co-director Daniel Neuburger, and God of War producer Brian Westergaard.

Blake Fischer, former senior director of portfolio and planning at Microsoft, has also come on board.

Additionally the studio hired two recruiters with Annie Lohr, formerly of Respawn, Riot Games, and Microsoft Studios, and Lindsey McQueeney previously the lead recruiter for Crystal Dynamics and Microsoft.

The Initiative was revealed during E3 along with the announcement that Microsoft acquired Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Playground Games, and Undead Labs as part of the platform holder's push towards improving its first party offering.

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Ivy Taylor: Ivy joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2017 having previously worked as a regional journalist, and a political campaigns manager before that. They are also one of the UK's foremost Sonic the Hedgehog apologists.
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