Ellie Gibson
09:17 (BST)
18/12/2006
Related articles
Former SOE exec sets up new studio
Koster hints at new titles in production
Former Sony Online Entertainment executive and MMOG veteran Raph Koster has officially opened the doors to his new studio.
Areae, which is based in San Diego, is billed as "a company dedicated to taking the tired old virtual world and making it into something fresh and new".
According to a statement on the studio's website, "We're working on some new tech that will literally change how virtual worlds are made. Weâve got a cool world or two incubating on the back burner."
Koster worked on text MUDs in the early 90s before going on to take the role of creative lead for Ultima Online. He was later the creative director on Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, and from 2003 to 2006 he held the title of chief creative officer at Sony Online Entertainment.
Other Areae staff include VP of production John Donham, who was formerly vice president of development at SOE San Diego. The studio is currently hiring, and more details of its first projects are due to be announced next year.
To comment on this article, or view other users comments, you need to register for the GamesIndustry.biz Network.
