No matter where your loyalties lie, those with a passing interest in virtual racing are surely familiar with the name SimBin.
The Swedish studio, led by Ian Bell, first established itself as a PC-centric modding team in the late 90’s before becoming the developer synonymous with acclaimed racing titles the likes of which includes GTR and GTR 2, GT Legends, and RaceRoom Racing Experience.
After the core team split up to form Blimey! Games and Slightly Mad Studios soon after, SimBin continued producing games, introducing the RACE series and other touring car-themed titles. In addition to their continued PC efforts, the studio branched out to consoles, releasing Race Pro in February 2009 for the Xbox 360, their one one and only console effort to date.
When the studio shut down in 2014 and was subsequently restructured as Sector3 Studios, many felt it was the end of a storied chapter. Now, just over two years after filing for bankruptcy, Simbin Studios is back on track and will be re-established in North West England.
The rejuvenated studio will take charge with former Sony Europe and Bizarre Creations producer Allan Speed at the helm, and will be assisted by Sector3, the original bearers of the name. Focusing on creating cross-platform racing titles in their new role — in light of recent successes such as Assetto Corsa and Project CARS — one more option is never a bad thing.
“We are extremely excited to announce the collaboration with newly formed SimBin Studios UK being headed up by Allan,” said Sector3 CEO, Chris Speed in a statement to Gamasutra. “His industry knowledge and talent network will provide the perfect spring board for our future strategy and let’s not forget the revival of the SimBin name which has a long, rich and successful heritage in delivering some of the best racing titles to date.”
SimBin’s new website is currently only a landing page citing “Coming Soon 2016,” and an email address directing to Sector3. It’ll be interesting to see what direction the studio heads toward in the coming months as there are number of opportunities the genre has yet to take advantage of.
Get real.
See more articles on Sector3 Studios and SimBin Studios.
This is great news! I still play “Race Pro” on 360. For a 7 yr old game it’s still holds up pretty well.
It’s good to have another dev to fill the void during the never ending wait between PD releases.
Here’s hoping we’ll finally have a successor to GTR 2. Preferably as modable, though that’s not likely to happen these days.
Also I’m disappointed there wasn’t at least a note to GTR 2’s 10th anniversary last week.
I still play Race 07, it is actually better then most new racing games. Hope they do well.
This COULD be the start of something very good. Let’s hope they set their sights high
Another sim on consoles!! Can’t wait to see what they bring to the table.
I honestly think that more important than bringing new titles into the consoles to see the same online desolation as seen at Assetto corsa or pcars after 11:30 pm, it would be absolutely amazing creating conditions for players from ps and xb being able to play together.
What does that have to do with this news article?
Multi platform race sims? Cross play? Think he jumping the gun there. It’s possible right now to make it so but Sony are not playing ball. I guess they think it might cause some Sony console exclusives to filter over to Xbox.
Anyway they might revive GT legends! Which would be a ver good thing as the current steam version, like all simbin games on steam, is a little broken and will probably never be fixed :(
Cross platforms? That would be the greatest step towards the future after the creation of the Playstation 1 :)