Visual Science reports full-year profit as turnover rockets

Scotland's largest independent games developer, Visual Science, has announced record results in its 2003 financial year - with turnover up to UKP 2.8 million and a pre-tax profit of UKP 100,000.

The Dundee-based company, which also now operates an office in Los Angeles, doubled its staff during 2003 and made a number of key management appointments as it secured work on several high-profile new projects.

It now employs 75 staff, with former Red Lemon Studios managing director Andy Campbell appointed as commercial director and former Microprose and Hasbro Interactive managing director Tim Christian taking on a role as non-executive chairman, both in early 2003.

While Visual Science is best known for its work on EA's Formula One titles, the studio has expanded its repertoire significantly in the past year, with involvement in the development of both Medal of Honor: Rising Sun and Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup for Electronic Arts last Christmas.

The studio is now rumoured to be working on a number of new EA titles, including involvement in the forthcoming GoldenEye: Rogue Agent and a new Medal of Honor title, and is also confirmed to be working on a major unannounced project for SCi Games.

"2003 was a real turnaround year for the company," according to Visual Science commercial director Andy Campbell. "For the last few years we had kept our head down fulfilling our commitments to EA on the Formula 1 games. We have an excellent team in Dundee, a wonderful reputation in the industry and a track record for solid delivery."

"2003 saw the company capitalising on that position," he continued, "recording results across the board. We want to stay very focused on continuing this upward motion and 2004 is already looking set to smash the 2003 performance. We're also actively looking to recruit new people and new teams now as we expand our business again as a result of even more new contract wins."