[Industry news] Russ Harding joins Rhino Rock Studios as Partner and Director

This is a press release posted alongside our usual editorial content.

Rhino Rock Studios has announced that games and interactive entertainment veteran Russ Harding has joined the company as Partner and Director. He will work alongside Founder and CEO Emma Perkins to co-lead the studio’s next phase of growth.

Harding joins from Maze Theory, where he spent eight years as a member of the original leadership team that established and grew the studio, latterly as Chief Creative Officer. He played a central role in shaping its creative direction and developing its games and original IP, including Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, Infinite Inside and Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow.

His career spans more than three decades. At PlayStation, he helped pioneer new kinds of play with EyeToy, EyePet and Wonderbook, and collaborated with J.K. Rowling on Wonderbook: Book of Spells. Working independently after leaving Sony, he created the award-winning immersive experience The Chainsmokers: Paris.VR for Sony Music.

At Rhino Rock, Harding will grow the studio’s creative slate, develop original IP and build partnerships with entertainment companies and rights holders.

Russ Harding said: 

“After more than 30 years making games, the thing that still excites me most is finding new ways for people to play.

“At Rhino Rock, Emma and I want to create our own IP and work with brilliant entertainment partners, without being defined by any one platform or technology.

“Rhino is also an established development partner, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with teams across the industry, whether that’s shaping early ideas, helping bring pitches together or supporting creative direction.”

Emma Perkins, Founder and CEO of Rhino Rock Studios, said:

“It’s fantastic to have Russ joining Rhino Rock at such an exciting point in our journey. We’ve built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality outsourcing and development for some brilliant partners, while continuing to grow our own creative ambitions and original IP.

Russ brings an incredible wealth of creative and entertainment experience, and together I genuinely believe we’re building a powerhouse for gaming. I’m really excited about what we can achieve together and where we take Rhino Rock Studios next.”