Posted on Friday 17-Jun-2011 11:00 AM

Sega opens new UK development studio for 'next-gen' projects

As-yet-unnamed venture opens in West Midlands, begins recruiting for Vita game

Sega Europe has opened a new 'boutique' studio in the UK, which is already at work on a "unique action-adventure" PlayStation Vita game due for release in late 2012.

The venture is Sega's third UK-based development group alongside Creative Assembly (Total War) and Sports Interactive (Football Manager). According to the publisher, the new outfit will "focus its production resources exclusively for next generation platforms".

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CVG understands that the studio has been born out of the firm's nearby Technology Group team, which prototypes new ideas for the publisher. As such, it will be working with the latest hardware on future projects - including Vita and Nintendo's Wii U.

This Technology Group was setup by six staff retained from the days of the Sega Racing Studio, which was shuttered in 2008 and eventually bought by Codemasters.

Some of these staff have now moved over to the new studio, but Sega is taking applications for a number of positions via its UK website. The new Vita project is currently being headed up by former Racing Studio man Chris Southall, who has over 16 years technical, design and production experience of triple-A games.

"I am genuinely excited about the prospect of opening another studio at Sega, particularly one co-located with our Technology Group," commented Gary Dunn, Senior Vice President of Production.

"We have seen some great and truly innovative prototypes coming out of the designers, artists and tech staff that form our Technology Group, and we fully intend to keep innovation at the heart of the new studio by keeping close links with the Technology Group who will ensure that this happens."

computerandvideogames.com Tim Ingham

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8 comments so far...

  1. Report this post Reply with quote
    starsail on 17 Jun '11 said:

    As long as they go back to the core Sonic Adventure 1 route, they very nearly nailed an awesome 3D Sonic experience not far from Mario 64's heals. I want to see a full 360 Green Hill Zone enviroment that doesn't have tunnel vision or 2D bits. Please Sega, all the failures have been because you have follwed the tunnel template since Sonic Adventure 2 and they are stinking. If you dont have the guts, ask Ninty to loan you Shigsy or better still, let him and his team do all the work, while you fund the bank accounts.

  2. Report this post Reply with quote
    sakaspuds on 17 Jun '11 said:

    agreed 100% more of the original dreamcast sonic adventure please, with a big spoonful of classic rare (banjo/kameo/conkers/starfox adventures) feel to it..

    almost forgot to mention, wii-u launch title would be nice :P

  3. Report this post Reply with quote
    metallicorphan on 17 Jun '11 said:

    always good to see a games studio open in the UK,whether its a big games company or small,i wish them the best of luck

  4. Report this post Reply with quote
    DoomGuy84 on 17 Jun '11 said:

    agreed 100% more of the original dreamcast sonic adventure please, with a big spoonful of classic rare (banjo/kameo/conkers/starfox adventures) feel to it..

    almost forgot to mention, wii-u launch title would be nice :P

    only Rare can do classic Rare :wink:

  5. Report this post Reply with quote
    krazykunal85 on 17 Jun '11 said:

    As long as they go back to the core Sonic Adventure 1 route, they very nearly nailed an awesome 3D Sonic experience not far from Mario 64's heals. I want to see a full 360 Green Hill Zone enviroment that doesn't have tunnel vision or 2D bits. Please Sega, all the failures have been because you have follwed the tunnel template since Sonic Adventure 2 and they are stinking. If you dont have the guts, ask Ninty to loan you Shigsy or better still, let him and his team do all the work, while you fund the bank accounts.

    YES... Green HILL ZONE!!! All day and night! :D

  6. Report this post Reply with quote
    fataljustice on 17 Jun '11 said:

    As long as they go back to the core Sonic Adventure 1 route, they very nearly nailed an awesome 3D Sonic experience not far from Mario 64's heals. I want to see a full 360 Green Hill Zone enviroment that doesn't have tunnel vision or 2D bits. Please Sega, all the failures have been because you have follwed the tunnel template since Sonic Adventure 2 and they are stinking. If you dont have the guts, ask Ninty to loan you Shigsy or better still, let him and his team do all the work, while you fund the bank accounts.

    Agreed just make it fun again.

  7. Report this post Reply with quote
    03b2wgm on 17 Jun '11 said:

    Just got an email from Sega saying that their data has been compromised. This really is starting to make me doubt my online security. Whatever next? :roll: :x

  8. Report this post Reply with quote
    Noobsaibot on 18 Jun '11 said:

    Daytona USA (Sega Racing Classic).
    Daytona USA2 (Sega Racing Classic 2)
    SCUD Race/Sega Super GT.
    Trilogy.
    HD.
    Online.


    I beg of you!!!