Turbine opens new studio, enlists former Flagship employees

Today, Turbine (Lord of the Rings Online) announced that it has opened a new studio in Redwood, California. In addition to getting the new digs, Turbine has also enlisted two former Flagship Studios employees to help head the western branch. Former visionary officer Dave Brevik and developer Jeff Lind will become Turbine’s newest creative and engineering directors, respectively. It marks the first time a Flagship employee has smiled in months.

Though opening new doors is pretty hip news, there is an interesting quote by Turbine CEO Jim Crowley in which he states that Turbine is looking to “create the new generation of cross platform MMOs.” The last time we checked, there was only one console MMO that Turbine was willing to talk about, albeit with scant details.

Let’s hope that whatever console MMO being built gets the treatment it deserves. I know from personal experience that the California sun has a tendency to impede progress.