Games services provider Side has acquired games art studio Roboto Entertainment, founded by industry veteran Andrea Cordella.

The move marks an extension of Side’s footprint in China with its first expansion in the country beyond Shanghai, aiming to strengthen Side’s presence in the country and its global art capabilities.

As Roboto Entertainment, Cordella’s team has worked on games like Jam City's Cookie Jam Blast, Storm8 Studios' Property Home Brothers Home Design and Play Infinity's Castle Story. The studio has experience working on releases across console and mobile. Following the acquisition, it has been named Side Chengdu, reflecting the location in which it is based.

Side has called this the most significant expansion to its art service line since its 2021 acquisition of 5518 Studios.

The creative services push has come amid projections that the Chinese market will hit $59.8 billion by 2030, alongside some of the highest engagement rates and play hours in the world.

The new studio and the expertise in environment art its team brings are expected to enable Side to present more attractive offers to developers in China and beyond.

"When half the titles at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live this year were made in China, the world notices. China has long been one of the most important markets for our industry, and I’m fiercely proud of the fact that our team there is hungry for more work, so we’re going to grow,” said Side CEO Deborah Kirkham.

Cordella has been appointed global head of art and Chengdu studio head, set to lead the company’s global art division while working closely with Side Shanghai and the wider network across the US, Asia and EMEA.

Source link