UK-based games firm Sumo Group has opened a new studio in Vancouver, Canada.

Called Timbre Games, this outfit is part of US-based Pipeworks Studios, which Sumo bought last year for $99.5 million in September 2020. This is Sumo's second Canadian studio – following the firm's Atomhawk subsidiary setting up a Vancouver outpost in 2017 – and its 14th studio overall.

Timbre Games is being helmed by president and founding partner Joe Nickolls, who was previously a VP and GM of EA's Maxis studio, while Zoë Curnoe – a vet of Gears of War maker The Coalition – and Geoff Coates, previously of Relic, Capcom and EA, are also co-founders.

“Our people lie at the heart of our growth ambitions and Joe is the perfect person to be leading Timbre Games," Sumo Group boss Carl Cavers (pictured) said.

"His triple-A background will enable him to achieve real momentum for the studio, whilst also building on Sumo Group’s turn-key capabilities and unique approach to the process of making great games. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Group and I’m looking forward to what’s next from our North American colleagues."

Nickolls added: “With Timbre, we wanted to build a studio from the ground up with a focus on diversity, transparency, community involvement in game development, and a sustainable, fun workplace culture. Those priorities are shared by Pipeworks so it was a natural fit from the start.”

At the end of 2019, Chinese tech and entertainment giant Tencent bought a 10 per cent stake in Sumo.