January 27, 2004

By: Amy Bush
Website: http://www.1st-in-toys.com

SAMMY STUDIOS Launches Game Development Studio

Sammy Studios Inc., a developer, publisher and global distributor of interactive entertainment content, today announced the launch of its new headquarters located in San Diego County in the city of Carlsbad, California. The 66,000 square foot facility is a state-of-the-art game development studio and headquarters for the company’s worldwide publishing operations. The new building was launched at an exclusive ceremony hosted by Hajime Satomi, founder, president and CEO of Sammy Corporation, John Rowe, president and chief operating officer of Sammy Studios, Inc., and Yoshi Suzuki, senior managing director of Sammy Corporation. Mr. Satomi and Mr. Rowe commemorated the occasion with an address recounting the history and success of Sammy Corporation, and spoke of the goals behind establishing a US presence in Sammy Studios.

We now have a wonderful facility and workspace, said Mr. Satomi. For Sammy, this studio will be the center of developing video games for North America and Europe. We are going to develop some incredible games at this location.

We set out to create an environment that is fun to work in, one that will motivate and inspire us, said Mr. Rowe. Our goal at Sammy Studios is to attract key technology and creative talent who will lead our product development into the future. Today we employ nearly 100 people, and in the next 18 months we will double that number.

Sammy Studios’ new facility is constructed specifically for game development and includes design input from the company’s own creative staff. The main part of the studio is a wide open area without contiguous walls, instead using free-standing structures that serve as offices, labs, workspaces and meeting rooms. Many of the structures represent themes highlighting Southern California lifestyle and culture, such as breaking surf, a half-pipe, mountains cast in a purple light and even an homage to the renowned architecture of Frank Gehry. From a functional perspective, the studio is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including art, design and programming tools, audio and video recording studios, online gaming, focus test lab and optical motion capture.

The establishment of Sammy Studios is part of a strategy to grow the video game business of parent company Sammy Corporation. Sammy has earned distinction as one of the largest and most profitable amusement and entertainment companies in Japan, with revenues of $2 billion projected for this year. The company recently earned rank in the top echelons of the Tokyo Stock Exchange for its annual growth and return on equity for investors. Led by video game business and creative leaders, Sammy Studios is establishing itself as a publisher of video games and creator of original properties. Sammy Studios will unveil its first original game in early 2004.

Also see: Science Games

About The Author:

Amy Bush is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-toys.com.  Find all the toys you wish you had as a kid. Fun and educational toys found here.