A studio which forms part of global games giant Sega is launching a base in Newcastle - with plans to create 100 skilled jobs.
The Creative Assembly Ltd – part of Sega Europe Ltd and creators of the multi-award-winning Total War Franchise, Halo Wars Two and Alien: Isolation – is set to add to its locations in Sussex and Sofia, Bulgaria, with a new centre on Tyneside. Industry and city leaders have hailed the announcement by the company, which has established Creative Assembly North, headed up by industry veteran Giselle Stewart, formerly of Ubisoft.
She has joined as studio director alongside her role as visiting professor at Newcastle University. CA North is set to recruit around 100 new developers in both technical and creative roles over the coming years.
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Creative Assembly already has strong connections with Newcastle University and the University of Teesside, including a scholarship programme to support more diversity in the industry. Leaders at CA North said they will amplify this work, extending the reach of the studio’s award-winning education programme, the Legacy Project, to more education establishments in the region.
The newly-established North division is already working on a new project in collaboration with the studio’s Sussex-based team, saying while it is yet to be announced it promises to give players an unforgettable experience.
Ms Stewart has more than 26 years of experience with AAA developers and has advocated for the UK games sector in positions as a board member of TIGA, the games developer’s trade association, of the Creative Industries Federation and Ukie.
She said: “Starting a new development studio from scratch with the full support and insights of one of the UK’s oldest and largest studios is incredibly exciting. Creative Assembly North establishes us in one of biggest cities for the games industry in the UK, which has a growing development community of both experienced professionals and aspiring students.
“We are bringing new job opportunities to the North East, building a studio which amplifies the fantastic culture and values of Creative Assembly. We will also extend the reach of the studio’s award-winning outreach programme, the Legacy Project, to support excellence in industry education in the region.”
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central said: ‘It’s incredibly exciting to see such a highly-innovative sector expand further. This new game development studio will bring with it more high-value job opportunities and contribute to the economic growth of the area.”
Jennifer Hartley, director of Invest Newcastle, part of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: “It is incredible news the UK’s largest games developer Creative Assembly as chosen Newcastle to locate and grow their new Northern games studio. Newcastle and Gateshead has one of the largest and most historic games communities in the UK and this investment cements our ability to attract world-leading brands as well as furthering our position as a leading tech hub.
“They will join an established cluster of AAA games developers and independent studios. As one of the best places to work, and a leader in supporting diversity and inclusion, Creative Assembly’s investment will provide a huge opportunity for the talent coming out of our world-leading universities, colleges and schools, giving our residents access to good quality jobs. “
Prof Chris Day, vice-chancellor and president at Newcastle University said: “Our researchers and students have worked with Creative Assembly for many years and this is a welcome and exciting move which will strengthen our focus on aligning education with games industry needs.
“Newcastle University is recognised as a world leader in computing science research and teaching and it was here in the North East our researchers pioneered the programming which brings realism to video games. This learning is now embodied within our teaching to provide a pipeline of talent the global video games industry depends on.”
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