When Lars Gustavsson, the former creative director for the popular Battlefield series, announced he was leaving EA DICE, fans wondered what would be next for this veteran of the gaming industry. The suspense didnāt last long. On May 23, 2023, Gustavsson unveiled the formation of a new studio: Time To Kill Games (TTK Games), co-founded with fellow developers from his old stomping grounds at DICE.
The name āTime To Kill,ā or TTK, is typically used in shooter games to define how long it takes certain weapons to eliminate enemies. But in this context, itās more of a playful twist. Gustavsson explains, āFor us the term āTTKā isnāt just about the craftsmanship behind finding the perfect speed or immediacy of a game ā itās about how human beings have been killing time through play for thousands of yearsā.
TTK Games, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has managed to secure significant funding to kickstart the development of a brand-new, next-generation online shooter. Gustavsson, who will serve as the creative director and CEO of TTK Games, brings with him over two decades of experience from his tenure at DICE, during which he directed acclaimed titles such as Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield.
But Gustavsson isnāt going at it alone. Alongside him are three other co-founders, all of whom are former DICE employees with significant experience in the industry. These include senior design director Daniel Berlin, chief technical officer and technical director Vidar Nygren, and art director Peter Hoyles.
The team at TTK Games is already hard at work on their debut project. The details are still under wraps, but we do know that itās an online shooter game. Given the teamās background, expectations are high, and many are eagerly waiting to see what this group of Battlefield veterans has in store. The studio is in the early stages of development and is hiring to fulfil its ambitious goals.
Gustavssonās departure from DICE left a legacy that will be hard to beat, but it seems heās not interested in dwelling on the past. Instead, heās channeling his energy into new ventures and taking his gaming vision in fresh directions. At TTK Games, Gustavsson aims to continue what he started at DICE, making games that encourage teamwork, friendly competition, and outwitting opponents through a mix of reflexes and strategy. As he puts it, āWe are passionate about video games, because we think thereās no better way to kill timeā
In the world of gaming, where innovation and creativity are key, a new player has entered the arena. The formation of TTK Games marks the start of a new chapter in Gustavssonās career, and potentially in the landscape of online shooters. While the studio is still in its early days, thereās a sense of anticipation in the air. After all, itās not every day that a team with such a proven track record embarks on a new adventure. Weāll be keeping a close eye on TTK Games as we await more information about their upcoming project, and we hope youāre as excited as we are to see what they create.
