Gateshead Welcomes New Gaming Venture, Last Arrow

A new gaming studio, Last Arrow, has launched in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, under the guidance of seasoned professionals from Sumo Digital, CCP, and Electronic Arts. The studio's leadership comprises CEO Ron Ashtiani, studio director Owen O'Brien, design director Andrew Willans, and technical lead Chris McClure. With nearly three decades of experience in the entertainment sector, Ashtiani previously founded Atomhawk and served as a non-executive director at Steamforged Games. O'Brien, with almost three decades of industry experience in publishing and development, was the executive producer for EA Dice's Mirror's Edge. As the latest venture of Pneuma Games Group, the parent company of Double Eleven, Last Arrow is focused on building its core development team and creating original intellectual property. The studio is actively recruiting experts proficient in Unreal Engine 5. According to Ashtiani, "We're assembling a team of specialists with extensive genre-specific experience who are passionate about delivering innovative gameplay, exceptional execution, and an immersive player experience to our audience." O'Brien noted, "Despite the industry facing increased pressures through layoffs and reduced private investment, Pneuma Games Group is bucking this trend, enabling us to establish a new studio with a specialized team already working on our first original IP." Earlier this year, Pneuma Games Group launched Cast Iron Games, led by veterans Arden Aspinall and Jon Seymour, in Tileyard North, Wakefield.