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Relentless has signed a major deal with toy manufacturer Hasbro, and will open a new studio as a result of the partnership.
The Buzz and Murder Files developer was granted £550,000 by the Welsh government to help it secure a collaboration with Hasbro, which will see it create multiple new projects based on the firm’s toys.
The funding also helped Relentless open a new office in Treforest, Pontypridd, Wales, rather than closer to Hasbro’s Rhode Island HQ. The government has said that it will continue to provide investment for the next three years.
Relentless already works with Hasbro to supply the design and programming foundation for some of Hasbro’s electronic toys.
The developer’s Brighton office will remain open and work on existing contracts.
It will also look to hire up to 70 new staff for the Welsh offices over the next two years.
“We are so pleased by the Welsh Government backing our new studio in Wales,” said Relentless director Andrew Eades.
“Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to keep these new products in the UK, which was, of course, our preference. We are grateful, and also very pleased to be able to help grow the games community in Wales, and that the local talented workforce can obtain high quality development jobs here in Wales.”
Welsh economy minister Edwina Hart added: “This is a highly strategic project and a significant coup for the digital media sector in Wales. It will be Wales’ second major inward investment games development studio that will create 70 skilled jobs and attract £Ms of investment to Wales from a global entertainment company.
Wales has a growing international reputation as a centre for digital media and I am delighted that a global multinational name like Hasbro is investing in Wales and hope this will lead to further collaboration in the future.”
