SouthPeak signs ‘landmark’ UE3 deal with Epic

Epic Games has forged what it is calling a landmark deal with burgeoning publisher SouthPeak Games, putting together a studio licence that will allow the publisher’s development partners use Unreal Engine 3.

Covering all SouthPeak’s upcoming PC and console games worldwide, the agreement runs through the life of the UE3 technology across all major platforms and downloadable content.

The first game being developed from the agreement is Psyonix Studio’s PS3 game Monster Madness EX: Battle for Suburbia. SouthPark says the deal will help aid its independent development partners.

“Independent developers need more opportunities to bring their games to market with next-generation technology,” said Katie Morgan, executive vice president at SouthPeak Games.

“UE3 provides developers all the tools and resources necessary to build great games and SouthPeak is giving talented developers a chance to focus on creating their games without spending the resources to create an engine to support it.”

“We see this as a landmark agreement for Epic and the UE3 technology because of SouthPeak’s focus on independent developers," added Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “They are going to bring UE3 to a group of developers that have fantastic games but would typically have to wait a long time to work with our award-winning game engine.”

"Our focus on UE3 technology has been key to our success as an independent studio. This is an ideal opportunity for us to work with SouthPeak on our projects," commented Dave Hagewood, president of Psyonix Studios. "We’re excited to be working with SouthPeak to bring our upcoming game to market in 2008."