INTERVIEW: Newcastle games studio on supporting 'next generation' of developers

As part of Bdaily’s coverage of National Video Games Day, we sat down for a chat with Owen O’Brien, studio director of Sumo Newcastle, a prolific video game developer with plenty of well-known titles under its belt.

We discussed the growth of the local gaming scene in the North East and the importance of supporting the developers of tomorrow. Read on to find out more…

1. First and foremost, can you tell us a bit about Sumo Newcastle and some of the games the studio has worked on?

“Sumo Newcastle is a game development studio situated in the heart of the North-East of England, creating innovative titles for some of the world’s biggest publishers. Aside from working on large AAA titles, we’re focused on personal development and ensuring that our people are well looked after, helping them to thrive in a safe and secure environment.

“Sumo Newcastle’s most recent solo developed title was Hood: Outlaws & Legends, a PvPvE multiplayer heist game set in a dark mediaeval world inspired by Robin Hood folklore.

“We have also worked on content for AAA games like Call of Duty Vanguard where we produced some of the multiplayer maps. Currently we are working on a number of unannounced games, so we get to work on quite a variety of titles and genres.”

2. With Sumo Newcastle having joined the Sumo Digital family and rebranded in 2018, what was the experience of joining a larger group like for the team?

“Joining Sumo not only provided our staff with stability, but it also gave us the opportunity to collaborate and grow with fellow studios within Sumo Digital, working on amazing games together.

“Events such as the SDC, our flagship learning & development conference, have also allowed our people to learn expertise from their peers across other Sumo studios in the UK, Europe, India, and Canada.”

3. Recent research has shown that the North East is one the fastest-growing video game development centres in the UK. Which factors do you think have led to this unique surge in local growth?

“People may be unaware that a number of large, well-known video game companies have studios located in the North of England. There’s usually a focus on the Midlands or the South, but there’s always been remarkable talent situated up here and we’re proud to see this in our own studio.

“Since the pandemic, Sumo has supported its people with flexible working opportunities. This has allowed people to often work for their studios remotely or on a hybrid basis, which can be seen as beneficial for our people and an attractive scenario when looking for a specific games industry role and location.

“Overall, the games industry continues to grow, and the demand is there more than ever, which is most likely why areas such as the North East are seeing such growth.”

4. Sumo Newcastle recently shared its industry knowledge with students from Abertay University in Dundee. Why do you believe that it is important for studios to engage with students who study within the field?

“It’s always been important that we not only share our expertise and knowledge with each other within Sumo Digital and the wider games industry but also with those aspiring to join it.

“Speaking with students like the ones at Abertay University for the Dare Academy gives our people the chance to mentor and support those hoping to one day be sat where they are, working on big games for some of the world’s best studios.”

5. Can you tell us about the Sumo Digital Academy and what it does to support young and aspiring developers?

“The Sumo Digital Academy is a talent development programme creating new pathways into the games industry, aimed at graduates looking to make their first career move, those skilled in different industries and those seeking a career change.

“The Academy selects a new cohort every year to take part in the Game Programmer Apprenticeship, the first of its kind to be recognised by the UK Government, as well as the Diversity Internship Training Programme, which gives people from under-represented groups the opportunity to receive training and mentoring in game programming to see what it would be like as a career.

“There has been an obvious skills gap for young or inexperienced programmers to get into the industry, and Sumo saw this as an opportunity to not only create a gateway for talented people to join its family of studios but also join the industry as a whole so that everyone can benefit from it.

“The apprentices get the chance to work with studios like Sumo Newcastle on their placements, so they get to see what it’s like working in a Sumo studio ahead of potentially working there full-time.”

6. With Sumo Digital’s 20th anniversary happening this year, what can you tell our readers about the studio’s plans for the remainder of 2023 and beyond?

“For us, and for every studio across Sumo, the message is pretty simple: continue to make great games for people to enjoy. Sumo Newcastle has only been a part of Sumo since 2018, but we’re proud to be part of its 20-year history and look forward to what the future has in store for us and the games industry.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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