Amazon Games is opening its first European studio, helmed by a Ubisoft veteran

Amazon has announced the opening of a new video game studio in Romania.

The first its studios to be opened in Europe, Amazon Games Bucharest will join other Amazon Games teams in Orange County, Montreal, San Diego and Seattle.

The studio will be led by Cristian Pana, former managing director at Ubisoft Bucharest. Pana has over 20 years of experience and previously worked on Far Cry, The Division, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. 

“I’m thrilled to join Amazon Games at a time when the team is actively building across an exciting roadmap,” Pana said.

“I’ve built and led outstanding teams in the past and I know this area of Europe is a hot spot for some of the very best talent in gaming.” 

Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games added: “Amazon Games is focused on developing and publishing great games, and we have an ambitious long-term roadmap in front of us.”

“Expanding our internal development teams into Europe was a natural next step for us as we tackle our broad portfolio.

“Bucharest is known as one of the top emerging European cities for game development and we look forward to tapping into the rich talent pool.”

Amazon Games will publish the next Tomb Raider game from Crystal Dynamics. 

Amazon has also recently placed a series order for a Tomb Raider adaptation from Phoebe Waller-Bridge.