Stig Asmussen
American video game developer (born 1972)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stig Asmussen is an American video game developer, best known for his work on the God of War series for Santa Monica Studio and the Star Wars Jedi series for Respawn Entertainment. Stig Asmussen founded his own new AAA video game development studio Giant Skull in 2023 September 9.
Stig Asmussen | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 13, 1972 |
| Alma mater | The Art Institute of Pittsburgh |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Employer(s) | Midway Games (1999–2003) Sony Computer Entertainment (2003–2014) Respawn Entertainment (2014–2023) Giant Skull (2024–present) |
| Notable work | |
| Awards | BAFTA Best Artistic Achievement (2011) |
Biography
Asmussen graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1998, with an Associate of Specialized Technology in Computer Animation Media.[1] He is the son of Jes Asmussen, University Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications at Michigan State University.[citation needed]
Throughout the God of War series, he worked as a lead environment artist, art director, and was game director of God of War III after Cory Barlog's departure.[2] In 2011, Stig Asmussen won the BAFTA Best Artistic Achievement Award for his work on God of War III.[3] In an interview in April 2012, according to David Jaffe (creator of God of War), Asmussen was "doing cool stuff" at Santa Monica, and did not work on God of War: Ascension.[4]
In 2014, Asmussen left Santa Monica Studio. He has since joined Respawn Entertainment as a game director.[5] On May 4, 2016 – Star Wars Day – Asmussen announced Respawn Entertainment was making a third-person Star Wars game.[6] This was announced as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. In 2022, Stig Asmussen announced a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.[7] Asmussen left EA on September 13, 2023, five months after Star Wars Jedi: Survivor released.[8]
In 2024, Asmussen announced the founding of a new independent AAA video game studio, named Giant Skull. In addition to Asmussen, Giant Skull consists of lead producer Lauren McLemore, art director Patrick Murphy, CTO Jon Carr, design director Jeff Magers, animation director Brian Campbell, and COO/CFO Anthony Scott, alongside undisclosed talent from Rockstar Games.[9] Asmussen revealed that the studio is currently developing a new AAA single-player game built on Unreal Engine 5.[10] In 2025, the project was revealed to be a licensed Dungeons & Dragons game.[11][12]
Works
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Artist | Notes | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Gauntlet: Dark Legacy | No | No | Yes | 3D artist | Midway Games |
| 2002 | Dr. Muto | No | No | Yes | Lead level artist | |
| 2005 | God of War | No | No | Yes | Lead environment artist | Santa Monica Studio |
| 2007 | God of War II | No | No | Yes | Art director | |
| 2008 | God of War: Chains of Olympus | No | No | Yes | Ready at Dawn | |
| 2010 | God of War III | Yes | Add. | No | Creative director (Santa Monica Studio) | Santa Monica Studio |
| 2011 | Mortal Kombat | Add. | No | No | NetherRealm Studios | |
| 2013 | God of War: Ascension | No | No | Add. | Additional art support | Santa Monica Studio |
| 2019 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | Yes | Story | No | Game director | Respawn Entertainment |
| 2023 | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Yes | Story | No | ||
| TBA | Untitled Dungeons & Dragons video game | TBA | TBA | TBA | Giant Skull |
