Codemasters moves its Birmingham base to the Custard Factory
VIDEO game developer and publisher Codemasters is moving its Birmingham studio to the Custard Factory in Digbeth.
The firm, known for the DiRT, GRID, Micro Machines series and games linked to Formula One motor racing, is moving from its current base in Hagley Road.
It has taken 9,000 sq ft of space in the Custard Factory. A three month programme will now begin to renovate three floors of the 100-year-old building to create a workspace for the gaming company’s 120 strong team.
Lucan Gray, owner of the Custard Factory and Fazeley Studios, said: “Each time a business joinsour working community the whole gets stronger, giving more employment opportunities and expanding the talent pool.
“Codemasters is a particularly exciting company, combining cutting edge art, design, programming and much more to achieve international commercial success.
“Codemasters will add significantly to the impressive list of products being conceived, createdand made right here in Digbeth and sold all over the world.
“We are thrilled they are coming,particularly as we will together launch a quarterly workshop to promote interaction with creative businesses in the city and give people who are interested an opportunity to learn from an industry leader.”
The space will comprise open plan studios, private meeting spaces and break out areas, with a “post-industrial feel”.
The team will take residence in early Spring.
Nick Craig, studio manager for Codemasters Birmingham, said: “We’re looking forward to becoming part of the vibrant community that the Custard Factory has created.
“This will move the studio to an area of the city much more suited to our unique business and company personality.
“From our new home we will continue to create some of the most successful racing games in the world and expand our successful portfolio of products onto mobile later this year.”
The Custard Factory Quarter is home to more than 500 creative and digital businesses and has recently attracted a number of international companies including design firm Gensler, the BBC’s Digital Guerrilla Unit and jewellery shopping channel Rocks & Co.
