Sony and NWDA invest millions into North West video gaming sector
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) alongside Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) have made joint investments of £2 million in staff training and development within the video game sector in the region.
The investment will aim to develop the north west video game community and create a global centre of excellence in video game creation, production and testing.
SCEE has a studio in Liverpool which is responsible for the creation of PlayStation games such as WRC, WipEout and MotorStorm.
Based at the same location in Wavetree is XDev Studio, a team of producers who have worked on games such as Buzz!, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet and Heavy Rain.
This centrally managed training programme will be delivered over a period of four years with the aim of improve the region’s skills base by sharing best practice and working with academia to close the gap between industry and Universities.
The project will also look to support other regional initiatives, including MediaCityUK and the Media Enterprise Centre (MEC).
Robert Hough, chairman of the NWDA, said: “SCEE operates in an increasingly competitive marketplace and must continuously invest in the latest training. The pool of talent in the digital and creative sector in Liverpool and across the Northwest is outstanding so we must retain the major players in this sector and help them to remain competitive and become the best in the world, whilst remaining cost effective.”
Michael Denny, senior vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios Europe, added: “We are delighted that the NWDA has recognised the significant contribution that our industry has made to the region. This is about investing in people, who are our most important and valuable asset. The investment will allow our Northwest based operations to continue to be innovative, pioneering and competitive on a global level."