Polyphony Digital is relocating around 50 of its 150 person workforce away from the current offices in Tokyo to a new set-up in Fukuoka, Japan, which is 500 miles away on the Western end of Japan.
The reason given for the move is the ongoing effect of the March 11 earthquake, and although there is still seismic activity in the new area, it’s generally much less than in the east of Japan. Fukuoka is Japan’s second-youngest, and second fastest-growing city and has been making a name of itself as a developer-friendly location, with several games developers already based there.
If relocation was already being reconsidered, the fact that rebuilding essential infratstructure in the east is still continuing is likely to have prompted this move – it would also mean less disruption in the event of any future events.
[…] Digital appears to be making a larger move from Tokyo to new officies in Fukuoka, Japan, than previously thought. As more information comes to light, it appears boss and Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi […]