11 February 2005 By Johnny Minkley
Following Europe boss Mike Hayes’ recent comments regarding initial plans for a UK development resource (MCV 28/01), MCV can reveal that the publisher is setting up a ‘Racing Studio’ in central England, to create next generation titles based on some of Sega’s most successful IP.
“The racing genre is a consistent high performer within the video games market and Sega has some of the most prestigious and exciting racing IP,†SoE head of Senior PD consultant Guy Wilday (pictured) told MCV.
“There was an opportunity for us to capitalise on the potential by working with the very best people in the industry to move these franchises onto next-gen technology.â€
Hayes recently revealed that SoE was also planning a budget label once existing IP reverted back to the company from third-parties, but Wilday was keen to stress Racing Studio’s sole focus would be on new titles for upcoming systems.
“Due to the current state within the console cycle, the major focus for this studio will be next generation titles,†he explained. “The studio will concentrate on innovative new iterations of existing franchises and on the development of new game IP, not ports of existing franchises.â€
SoE has already proved itself with a stunning port of OutRun 2 on Xbox, handled by Sheffield-based outfit Sumo Digital, and a job ad for the new studio reveals that successful candidates can expect to work on such legendary titles as Sega Rally and Crazy Taxi.
The publisher is now in the process of selecting premises and building a core team, hoping to attract some of the most talented in the sector. “No studio head is currently in place as yet, but we are actively looking,†said Wilday.
“Locating the studio in the centre of the country is the ideal positioning to attract the best development talent from booth studios in the south and north of England.â€
And there may be more to come from the resurgent Sega of Europe, which recently revealed the synergising of US and European efforts to power up Sega’s status in the West.
“To be competitive with the top publishing companies, we are of course looking to expand our in-house development resources further to become a major global player.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/html/news/story.jsp?newsId=1930052
Following Europe boss Mike Hayes’ recent comments regarding initial plans for a UK development resource (MCV 28/01), MCV can reveal that the publisher is setting up a ‘Racing Studio’ in central England, to create next generation titles based on some of Sega’s most successful IP.
“The racing genre is a consistent high performer within the video games market and Sega has some of the most prestigious and exciting racing IP,†SoE head of Senior PD consultant Guy Wilday (pictured) told MCV.
“There was an opportunity for us to capitalise on the potential by working with the very best people in the industry to move these franchises onto next-gen technology.â€
Hayes recently revealed that SoE was also planning a budget label once existing IP reverted back to the company from third-parties, but Wilday was keen to stress Racing Studio’s sole focus would be on new titles for upcoming systems.
“Due to the current state within the console cycle, the major focus for this studio will be next generation titles,†he explained. “The studio will concentrate on innovative new iterations of existing franchises and on the development of new game IP, not ports of existing franchises.â€
SoE has already proved itself with a stunning port of OutRun 2 on Xbox, handled by Sheffield-based outfit Sumo Digital, and a job ad for the new studio reveals that successful candidates can expect to work on such legendary titles as Sega Rally and Crazy Taxi.
The publisher is now in the process of selecting premises and building a core team, hoping to attract some of the most talented in the sector. “No studio head is currently in place as yet, but we are actively looking,†said Wilday.
“Locating the studio in the centre of the country is the ideal positioning to attract the best development talent from booth studios in the south and north of England.â€
And there may be more to come from the resurgent Sega of Europe, which recently revealed the synergising of US and European efforts to power up Sega’s status in the West.
“To be competitive with the top publishing companies, we are of course looking to expand our in-house development resources further to become a major global player.â€
http://www.mcvuk.com/html/news/story.jsp?newsId=1930052
