Sony/Namco Bandai dev team emerges

Wednesday, 24th January 2007 at 3:00 pm

‘Father of the PlayStation’ Ken Kutaragi is to head up a new development team for PS3, which will be co-owned by Sony and Namco Bandai.

Sony Computer Entertainment spokesperson Satoshi Fukuoka revealed in a statement that the venture would be called Cellius Inc and will begin operations on March 6th. The workforce will use PS3’s Cell chip to create games for the console, as well as content for mobile phones and PC.

Bloomberg reports that Namco Bandai will own 51 per cent of the venture, with Sony holding a 49 per cent stake. Namco Bandai created the top two selling PS3 games in Japan last year, Ridge Racer 7 and Mobile Suit Gundham.

The news comes two months after Kutaragi was replaced as president of SCE by former president and CEO of SCEA Kaz Hirai.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/25437/Sony--Namco-Bandai-PS3-studio-emerges