Giant Squid

Giant Squid is an independent American game development studio founded in 2013 by Matt Nava. Based in the Los Angeles area, it creates atmospheric, artistically driven adventures that combine stylized environments, expressive movement and visual storytelling. Its games emphasize exploration and the relationship between players and the worlds they move through, with music playing a central role in the experience.

The studio’s debut, ABZÛ, released in August 2016 through publisher 505 Games. Inspired by Nava’s interest in scuba diving, the underwater adventure explores aquatic environments through swimming, encounters with marine life and environmental storytelling. Its orchestral score by Austin Wintory complements the game’s emphasis on atmosphere and discovery.

The Pathless, released in November 2020 through Annapurna Interactive, expanded that approach into a mythic open-world adventure about an archer and an eagle exploring a cursed forest. The game combines momentum-based archery, fluid traversal and environmental puzzles, encouraging navigation without conventional map waypoints or fast travel. It launched on PlayStation 5 alongside other platforms and later reached additional systems.

With Sword of the Sea, Giant Squid carried its interest in flowing movement into landscapes of sand and water. Players control the Wraith, riding a hoversword across undulating terrain. The game released on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC in August 2025, followed by Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S releases published by Fictions in October 2026.

Across its projects, the studio brings together game design, creative direction, concept and environment art, character animation, gameplay programming, visual effects and technical art. Its development capabilities include Unreal Engine production and close integration of audiovisual elements. Established with backing from The Ink Factory, Giant Squid continues to operate independently, working with publishing partners on individual releases while developing its own games.