GDN: Codemasters Expands Studio Strength -

Expanding its studio resources, Codemasters today announced the opening of an additional UK-based development facility, Codemasters Studios Guildford. The new Surrey-based office joins the company’s already established development operations - Codemasters Studios Southam and Codemasters Studios Kuala Lumpur.

Additionally, Codemasters has appointed senior industry executive Adrian Bolton as Studio Manager of the new Guildford facility. Previously Development Director for EA Criterion, the studio responsible for the Burnout™ series, Bolton will report to Gavin Cheshire, VP of Codemasters Studios.

Set to attract development talent from the South East, Codemasters Studios Guildford is targeting an initial staff of 35 employees with an emphasis on programming resource. Codemasters Studios is already a team of 255 with 185 on site at Codemasters’ headquarters near Southam, Warwickshire, and a further 70 staffing the art-focused Codemasters Studios Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Guildford personnel will initially collaborate with their Southam and Malaysian colleagues on key projects, including the next additions to the successful Operation Flashpoint and Race Driver series, and with the company’s Central Technology Group, responsible for the proprietary middleware engine Neon. Personnel numbers are expected to be increased annually as the Guildford studio’s remit is expanded to develop solus IPs from 2008.

"Following our investment announcements and recent product successes, it is clear to see that these are very exciting times for everyone within the expanded Codemasters Studios group," states Gavin Cheshire, VP of Codemasters Studios. "With our internal development in Southam, Kuala Lumpur and now Guildford, we can continue to grow our business and bring additional titles to the portfolio. We look forward to welcoming a new wave of development talent to Codemasters as we continue to grow both our product range and technology assets with projects such as Neon."

Codemasters is now accelerating its recruitment drive for development talent in all studios locations, details of positions are available at www.TheNewBreed.info or email recruitment@codemasters.com.