A NORTH-East games developer has announced it is opening a new development studio in Asia to help it gain access to new markets.

Teesside business Double Eleven, which works on computer games like the PixelJunk series (PC), Goat Simulator and Prison Architect, will open the studio in Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, this spring.

Founder and chief executive Lee Hutchinson said: "“Great international talent, a burgeoning games community and active support from the Malaysian government, make it an easy decision to expand our operations into Kuala Lumpur.

“We’re building Double Eleven Malaysia our way; it’s going to be a great place to work, and we’re looking forward to the new team there becoming part of our tribe.

"At the same time, we’re continuing to invest in our UK headquarters in Teesside and make key hires within our development and management teams. Our Malaysian studio will be there to bolster the incredible teams we have working in the UK.

The Northern Echo:

Double Eleven's new Malaysian studio

"The Asian market is a huge player on the global stage, and we want to be at the vanguard of this exciting new hotbed of our industry."

The new location is aimed at transforming the business into an international development and publishing powerhouse, allowing for development across multiple time zones, along with gaining access to new Asian markets.

The company, which has about 100 people working at its headquarters in Middlesbrough, is one of the UK's key providers of development and publishing services to the video game industry, delivering full-service visual and development solutions from initial concept to production, development, publishing and live operations.

Recruitment for the Malaysia studio will start in February, with the company initially looking for full-time staff in development and management positions.

Hasnul Hadi Samsudin, vice president, digital creative content of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) said: “Malaysia has developed a vibrant and successful digital creative content industry over the past 15 years, with numerous international companies choosing to set up studios here.

"The current focus on realising the Digital Content Ecosystem Policy (DICE) reinforces Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN for animation and games content development.

“Our wide pool of exceptional talents, business-friendly government and ecosystem of great companies, are key reasons why companies are investing in Malaysia. Double Eleven is one such company and we are thrilled that it's opening up a studio in Malaysia."