insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 19 - September 2016 | Page 110

BUSINESS

Top tech at
West Pier Studio
One of Brighton’s top tech companies, West Pier Studio, is expanding further after landing a
contract to apply gaming expertise to the world of language learning for one of the world’s
leading language companies. The project to create a cross-platform product that couples
gaming with language learning – uTalk - for the company Eurotalk, boosts West Pier studio’s staff
to 30, further cementing Brighton as a centre of excellence for software design.

Founded in 2011 by three ex-Disney gaming
designers, Craig Gabell, Vassos Shiarlis
and Dominic Jackson, West Pier Studio has
moved from its original base in Hove to bigger
offices in central Brighton to help support its
expansion. The company creates awesome
mobile apps, engaging social games and
powerful 3D design tools. Based in the UK’s
creative hub, Brighton, West Pier Studio has
handpicked talented experts to create a vibrant
studio with an enviable reputation.
Craig Gabell has worked exclusively within
the industry as a highly driven and respected
art director for over 20 years, having worked
on games such as Pure and Split/Second,
where his efforts helped to secure the coveted
‘Best of E3’ award and a BAFTA nomination.
Vassos Shiarlis is an award-winning gaming
expert with over 20-years experience in the
business. Grounding himself as a character/
user interface artist, Vassos quickly progressed
into management where he simultaneously led,
produced and project managed three complete
multi-console project cycles. Technical director,
Dominic Jackson, is one of the industry’s
most talented and experienced coders, who

has worked almost exclusively in the games
industry for over 22 years, contributing to an
impressive 21 games, 17 of which have been
published.
West Pier Studio’s co-founder and general
manager, Craig Gabell, who lives in Haywards
Heath, says: “Working with uTalk is a very
important part of the West Pier Studio’s growth
path. In a market saturated with games, we
wanted to focus on playful products that offer
innovative education to the user and we’ve had
to bring in new staff to create the product.”
“At the core of the design is a fun and addictive
achievements point system, which is way
better than gaining mere game points. Our idea
of ‘Earn as you Learn’ means the more the
player learns, and the more they achieve, the
more real money rewards they earn.”
uTalk, which is available at uTalk.com now, is a
new venture from language software company,
Eurotalk, a company that’s won Queen’s
Awards for both export and innovation and
was founded 25 years ago by Sussex-based
chairman Richard (Dick) Howeson.

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“We love the energy and creativity at West
Pier Studio and their ethos of being friendly,
approachable and can-do matches our own,”
says Richard. “This is a major step forward
for our customers. We’re pushing technology
all the time to ensure anyone learning with
us will be successful and have fun learning
languages.”
uTalk is available on all platforms from PC
and mobile to Mac across more than 130
languages. Customers will be able to choose
exactly what they want to learn from any
language.
West Pier Studio
1.2, 1st floor, Phoenix House
32 West St
Brighton
BN1 2RT
01273 206482
www.westpierstudio.com
@WestPierStudio
/WestPierStudio