UK vets open casual studio

Yippee! Entertainment opens its doors in MediaCityUK's The Greenhouse for the first time today.

The new studio, based in Salford, Greater Macnchester, will focus on casual and social games for console, Smart TV, IPTV, and mobile devices.

Yippee! is founded by CEO Mike Delves and commercial director Lorraine Star, both veterans of the UK industry with experience at Ocean Software, Software Creations and Eidos.

The studio has recently secured a deal with with Macclesfield-based indie games publisher, Chillingo for their first original title on mobile and is about to announce another new partnership, which will see them well positioned in IPTV.

"This is a very exciting time for Manchester and Salford and we are delighted to be part of it with Yippee Entertainment," said Delves in a statement.

"The talent we have at Yippee has worked on some of the biggest titles in the world and we are proud to have found our home here amongst some of the world's biggest media companies."

Over the next six months the company intends to increase its headcount from 8 to 25. It has already inked a deal for its first mobile project with Cillingo, and is poised to announce an IPTV partnership that will leave it "well positioned" in the space.

"The industry response has been excellent in regards to our new venture and teaming up with Chillingo on our first original title could not offer a better start," Delves added.