Kuju targets digital downloads with new Double Six studio

UK developer Kuju is set launch a new studio focusing entirely on digital downloads for home consoles and PC, under the direction of studio head James Brooksby.

The team is made up of the developers behind Geometry Wars Galaxies for the Wii and DS and Nucleus on PSN, with Brooksby confirming there are plans to cover all emerging digital formats.

"We're doing games, and we intend on doing games, for all of the platforms — PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, Wii Ware and PC downloads. We believe that there are some great opportunities out there and the models are really attractive as a developer," said Brooksby, speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz

"We want to become the best, the go-to place, the studio that is known for carving out our own part of the industry. Double Six is going to be the place to go for the absolutely best games on digital platforms," he added.

As Kuju's other studios begin to establish their own niche — the renamed Chemistry is focusing on Unreal Engine titles while Zoe Mode is aiming for social gaming — Double Six is concentrating on the delivery method, not necessarily the genre, as its speciality.

"Rolling double six is about having another go and that embodies what we're about — addictive and very good fun. That doesn't mean we will always be providing games that are arcade-like, but they will have that addictive quality," he said.

"We're doing games that are anything from casual to pretty complex titles for digital distribution, something that you may expect from a full boxed product, but in a different guise. Some of the game we're going to put out you definitely wouldn't term 'casual' and they are going to appeal as gamer's games," said Brooksby.

Double Six will be increasing staff numbers early next year, but Brooksby acknowledges it is important to remain a tight-knit team.

"We find that with smaller team sizes we can turn around much more fun to build titles, which is a big attraction for the guys who work here," he said.

"We've got plans to get quite big but we want to keep the small company feel.

"It's about making sure everybody knows where they fit and giving everybody a really strong focus. We're creating something the team can get their teeth into," added Brooksby.

Kuju's CEO Ian Baverstock will be discussing the marketing of development studios at GDC Lyon, due to take place next week.