LO1: Task 1/2 Business report: Sumo Digital

Business report: Sumo Digital, Matthew Poole – 17/1/14

www.sumo-digital.com 17/1/14

Introduction to Sumo Digital

Sumo Digital is a games company based in Sheffield with over 170+ employees in its UK branch; it was co-founded by Carl Cavers in 2003. They also are branched in India with roughly 40+ members, which was established in 2007 to support the production needs of Sumo Digitals Sheffield branch. Sumo Digital is part of the Foundation 9 Entertainment group and a member of the Screen Yorkshire’s GameRepublic.

Sumo currently has licensing for PSP, PS2, PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Xbox, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Their key development experience is in Racing Games, Licensing Products, Sports products, and Arcade Style games, Original Products, Cross Platform Development and New Technology Transition. They have made games such as Dead Space Ignition and Split/second: Velocity.

Company Hierarchy: Sumo Digital

Development Software

Sumo digital uses different programs for different jobs. The coders mainly use C++ and the designers and artists uses programs such as 3D Studio macs, MAYA and Z Brush.

Platform Technology

Sumo’s has the license to produce games all leading platforms such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP), PS3, PS2, Microsoft Xbox 360, Xbox, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. They currently have titles on PS3, PS3 EDI, Microsoft Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Nintendo DS.

Game Types

Sumo’s main experience for games is usually in racing, sports and arcade style games.  A lot of their work is in racing and sports games they have made titles such as: Formula 1 2009 and Split/Second Velocity. However they have made a point and click games like Broken Sword 4.

Games On Multiplatform

Sumo has licensing for a broad range of games. They have a wide variety of titles of which are mostly sports and racing games, and range over all platforms. They mostly do console titles rather than handheld.

Regulatory Bodies

All of Sumo digitals games mainly consist of racing and sports game that means that there PEGI rating will be around a 3, 7 and maybe a 12 maximum. As racing games don’t contain much violence, swearing, fear etc. Their description is most likely to be ‘mild peril’ which would award it around a 3 or a 7. However they have produced Dead Space Ignition that was an 18 as the Dead Space franchise is a very gory and violent game. They have made a few 12 rated games like Broken Sword 4. Mostly the PEGI rating will not affect most of their titles, but only the few 12 plus they have made.