NetEase has opened Spark Bank, a studio led by an Xbox veteran
The Chinese company NetEase Games has opened an American studio Jar of Sparks. The general director of the newly formed team was an Xbox veteran Jerry Hook (Jerry Hook).
Hook helped launch the original Xbox and was one of the creators of Xbox Live. In addition, he held leadership positions in the Halo and Destiny teams - for example, he led the design department of Halo Infinite.
Glad to announce Jar of Sparks, a new first party studio of NetEase Games!
— NetEase Games_EN (@NetEaseGames_EN) July 18, 2022
Led by industry veteran Jerry Hook, the studio will focus on creating the next generation of narrative-driven action games with full freedom under #NetEase. https://t.co/ad51r5NR74
Other key contributors to Jar of Sparks:
- Creative director Paul Crocker (Paul Crocker) is the lead story director for Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham series, story director for Batman: Arkham Origins, and assistant creative director for Halo Infinite.
- Executive producer Greg Stone (Greg Stone) – producer of 2016's DOOM and Halo Infinite.
- Gameplay director Steve Dyke (Steve Dyck) is the Director of Animation and Design for the Halo (4, 5 and Infinite), SSX and NBA Street franchises, as well as Character and Battle Director for Halo Infinite.
Jar of Sparks is based in Seattle, but recruits from around the world. The mission of the studio is to create a new generation of story action based on new franchises.
