MDV funds Codemasters Studios’ Colin McRae: DiRT 2

RM36 million funding for the development of the contemporary rally racing game

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, 6 January 2009: Reinforcing its commitment to develop emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Biotechnology and high growth sectors, Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance, Inc. today signed an agreement with Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd for the development of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (DiRT 2), a sequel to the very successful DiRT which sold 1.3 million units worldwide.

The second funding of RM36 million from MDV is for the tenure of 16 months and will be utilised to develop DiRT 2, which features a variety of rally racing styles that expose players in aggressive multi-car and intense solo races in environments such as canyon racing, jungle trails and city stadium based events. While DiRT featured a variety of rally styles and real motor sport locations around the world, DiRT 2 will provide players with contemporary off-road events at the most diverse and challenging real-world settings. DiRT 2’s garage houses a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing.

Furthermore, DiRT 2 differs from the average racing games, for it is powered by the third generation EGO Engine award winning game technology, benefitting it with tune-up car handling physics system and new damaged engine effects. DiRT 2 also offers an improved and advanced level of visual fidelity which makes the visuals twice more detailed than those seen on Racedriver GRID (GRID).

The signing marks the second partnership between MDV and Codemasters Studios. The first being the RM44 million for the development of the first-ever Malaysian made computer game entitled the GRID which was launched last year. GRID was the first new-generation console and triple-A rated game ever produced in Malaysia.

Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MDV said that the partnership with Codemasters Studios is yet another development which is part of MDV’s efforts to nurture and develop local talents.

“As a financier and development facilitator of ICT, Biotechnology and other high-growth sectors, MDV is proud to be able to finance and be an active contributor to Codemasters Studios’ advancements. We are not only looking at assisting the content industry but also the local market in terms of creating job opportunities, especially in the current time,” added Zubir.

“Having grown rapidly from a team of only 30 people in 2006 to 76 people currently, we plan to increase our staff strength to 100 in the next 12 months. DiRT 2 is one of our biggest projects after the success of GRID, which was Malaysia’s first locally designed computer game,” said Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd.

Villandre also said that the knowledge and technology transfer has developed local talents. From specialising in animation, Codemasters Studios has now expanded its expertise to include programming, a more advanced technique in game development.

Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd was established in 2006 to meet the demands of the promising gaming industry. Codemasters Studios is a joint-venture between Codemasters UK Ltd, Europe’s largest independent developer and publisher of visdeo games and Vision New Media Sdn Bhd. Codemasters Studios, Malaysia is the only foreign operation for Codemasters UK.

“Moving forward, built upon the foundation of the knowledge, technology and skill transfer, Codemasters Studios subsequently intends to expand its capacity to provide game development services to other international game developers and eventually become an independent quality game developer,” added Villandre.

Representatives at the signing ceremony were Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of MDV; Simon Parsons, Group Chief Finance Officer of Codemasters Studios; and Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd.
“We are pleased with the progress made by Codemasters Studios, our only operation outside of the UK. The commitment and dedication of the Malaysian team is evident from the quality work produced - GRID being a good example, the team expansion and the progress made in games development. We hope to further expand the Malaysian operations and maybe emulate this successful model in another country,” said Parsons.