Major new studio launches in Ireland

Fomer EA, PopCap and Atari staffers have formed a new major studio in Ireland after acquiring significant funding for the project.

Digit Game Studios, set to be the largest independent developer in the country, will focus on creating and publishing original IP for multiple platforms.

The founders include original Jagex management team member Richard Barnwell, Atari and Hasbro marketing director Martin Frain and PopCap mobile QA lead David McGovern.

The developer will be based in Dublin.

"We chose Dublin because of the ability to access best in class talent, the great support from Enterprise Ireland and the general buzz around the cities start-up scene,” said Digit CEO Richard Barnwell.

“We hope to hire locally and to attract some top class people from around the games world.”

Neil Leyen of Irish-based accelerator the International Digital Services Centre added: "The creation of original IP in the country by such a team of talented developers will lead to some very exciting opportunities in this sector.

“The IDSC will provide the necessary services and act as a platform for companies like Digit alongside the multinationals who have also located their IP and European HQ’s here."