Sega-owned The Creative Assembly is setting up a new development studio in Newcastle, with plans to create 100 new jobs.
The 36-year-old company behind the Total War Franchise, Halo Wars 2 and Alien: Isolation, has recruited industry veteran Giselle Stewart to head up CA North.
Stewart will become Studio Director, which will run alongside her role as Visiting Professor at Newcastle University. A board member of Creative UK, she was Director of Corporate Affairs at Ubisoft for 7 years and has also been a director of UKIE and TIGA.
“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,” she explained.
“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.”
The Creative Assembly already has bases in Sussex and Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Newcastle team will immediately start work on a new project in collaboration with the Sussex-based team.
“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,” added Jennifer Hartley, Director of Invest Newcastle, part of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative.
“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. “
CA North said it would be recruiting around 100 new developers across technical and creative roles over the coming years.
