Sumo Digital, an independent game studio based in Sheffield, UK, announced they’ve taken on CCP Games’ Newcastle studio, the branch primarily involved in the production of EVE: Valkyrie (2016). 

When CCP announced they were shutting down their VR game-producing studios, the fate of EVE: Valkyrie and Sparc (2017) were less than certain. At the time, CCP said that while the Atlanta-based studio behind Sparc would be dissolved, the development team at the Newcastle studio would remain intact despite an impending acquisition, and that work on the game’s Winter Update would continue even in the midst of the move.

The Winter Update, which included a new map and the ability to create custom matches, followed the larger Warzone Update which extended support to non-VR players on PS4 and PC.

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In an official announcement, Sumo says they’ve taken on 34 CCP staff members who will remain in New Castle with Owen O’Brien as Studio Director. O’Brien joined CCP in 2013 as executive producer of the fledgling Valkyrie, coming from EA’s DICE studio in Stockholm.

”Sumo Digital is a great home for the team in Newcastle,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games. “As we say goodbye to our former colleagues we know that they will do great things there, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Paul Porter, Managing Director of Sumo Digital said, “As we continue to expand this was a great opportunity to bring an experienced, talented and tight-knit team on board.”

Sumo is most recently known for their puzzle platform game Snake Pass (2017), and has worked on a number of sequels to big franchises such as Forza, Little Big Planet, Crackdown, and Sonic.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • McGamer

    This just further proves the point that CCP cannot commit to any new IP for more than a few months. It especially shows they are already giving up on VR. They made their quick buck because some people are suckers. Don’t buy anything from CCP.

  • SandmaN

    Now we just need a competent game studio to pick up all of the Sparc IP assets and rights, then make it into the game that everyone wants and deserves. It’s such a great game that it would be a complete shame to see it fall by the wayside – it could be one of the top VR e-sports games of 2018 and beyond.