MARCH 9, 2010 • Globex Studios, an online game developer based in China and Taiwan, launched a new studio in Los Angeles staffed with local professionals – many of whom used to work for Pandemic Studios before the latter was shut down by EA. Globex Studios LA will be the company’s North American development and project management arm.

Impact: Pandemic had a long and successful tenure in developing games for Western markets.  This is a sign that Asian publishers are seeking a larger audience for free to play and related online games models in the West. Hiring experienced, US based game developers will likely continue in the wake of industry turmoil in 2008 and 2009.  Western publishers with large operations in the North American market should take notice of the influx of Asian free to play and online publishers setting up shop in the US.