Creative Assembly Expands with New Studio in Newcastle Under Giselle Stewart's Leadership

A new Creative Assembly studio is set to open in Newcastle, with Giselle Stewart at the helm. The studio, dubbed Creative Assembly North, plans to recruit over 100 developers and will collaborate with the company's Sussex office on an unannounced project. Additionally, it will house the company's Continuous Improvement Team, focused on enhancing tools, workflows, and development experiences. Giselle Stewart, a seasoned video game industry expert with nearly two decades of experience leading Ubisoft's Reflections studio, will spearhead the new venture. Stewart has also held prominent roles in industry bodies Ukie and TIGA, and is a Visiting Professor of Practice at Newcastle University. "Establishing a new development studio with the full backing of one of the UK's most established and largest studios is a thrilling opportunity," Stewart stated. "We're embracing adaptability, rapid iteration, and creativity, while fostering collaboration across locations. We're introducing new job opportunities to the North East, building a studio that embodies the exceptional culture and values of Creative Assembly, and expanding the reach of the award-winning Legacy Project to support educational excellence in the region." Sega Europe's Chief Studio Officer Tim Heaton added: "The launch of Creative Assembly North in Newcastle marks another significant step forward for Creative Assembly and SEGA Europe in terms of growth. Newcastle's growing reputation as a technology hub presents a fantastic opportunity for the studio to tap into new talent and contribute to sector growth in the region. Everyone at SEGA Europe is eager to see the innovative experiences that Creative Assembly North will bring to the table." Creative Assembly operates two other studios, located in West Sussex, UK, and Sofia, Bulgaria, and is renowned for its work on the Total War series, as well as IPs like Alien, Warhammer, and Halo. The company is currently developing a new first-person shooter titled Hyenas.