Ex-Red Dead Redemption and Mario + Rabbids leads establish Day 4 Night Studios

Former leads from Red Dead Redemption and the Mario + Rabbids series have established Day 4 Night Studios, a new game developer initially funded by Krafton and 1Up Ventures.

Day 4 Night Studios is led by former Red Dead Redemption Lead Designer and Writer Christian Cantamessa and the Mario + Rabbids Creative Director Davide Soliani, both of whom will direct a team of industry veterans that have been working together for over 15 years.

Details on Day 4 Night Studios’ first game are scant, though it’s described as an “entirely original new game.” Cantamessa and Soliani are joined by other co-founders Cristina Nava, Gian Marco Zanna, and Luca Breda, all of whom are producers and developers from franchises like Mario + Rabbids, Just Dance, Ghost Recon, and Star Wars.

Here’s comments from key staff:

Co-founder Christian Cantamessa

“When I first fell in love with videogames at the start of my career, I saw the power of this new medium to tell stories never told before and create worlds that could transform people. Day 4 Night is a return to that innovative spirit, to that innocence, to that unbridled creativity.”

Co-founder Davide Soliani

“What we are crafting at Day 4 Night is a reflection of everything I’ve ever wanted to experience as a player – joy, adventure, poetry, action, wonder, and the pleasure of working with friends. It’s a lullaby for my soul and a serenade to our industry, to the magic and the madness of creating worlds from nothing. It’s a story about triumphs, challenges, dreams, to light the path we walk together.”

Krafton VP and Head of Corporate Development Maria Park

“Day 4 Night’s pitch presented a highly engaging and captivating story. The game’s vision stands out as both original and creative, making it a great match for the type of studios we aim to support at KRAFTON. It aligns well with our mission to ‘Scale up the Creative.’”

1Up Ventures General Partner Ed Fries

“When you see a lot of pitches, like we do, it’s always incredibly fun when you get to hear an idea that’s completely new and original. This was easily the most creative thing we have seen in quite some time.”