Founder Andrea Cordella appointed Global Head of Art as Side establishes new Chengdu studio
CHENGDU, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading games services provider, Side, today acquired the boutique games art studio, Roboto Entertainment, strengthening its global art capabilities and presence in mainland China. Roboto Entertainment founder and industry veteran, Andrea Cordella, will lead Side's global art division and act as studio head for the new Chengdu site. His team will work closely with Side Shanghai as well as Side's wider network of art and co-development teams spread across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.
"When half the titles at gamescom's Opening Night Live this year were made in China, the world notices. China has long been one of the most important markets for our industry, and I'm fiercely proud of the fact that our team there is hungry for more work, so we're going to grow." said Deborah Kirkham, CEO at Side.
While the games industry has reported a slowdown globally in recent years, the Chinese market is expected to grow by 4% in 2026 and hit $59.8B by 2030. It boasts some of the highest player engagement rates, esports engagement, player hours, and player spend, making the region an attractive space for developers.
"This acquisition is a double-down on a winning regional strategy. With Andrea as our Global Head of Art and a new studio in Chengdu, we now have some of the industry's best environment and world-building artistic talent," continued Kirkham.
Cordella founded Roboto Entertainment in 2014, specialising in environment and world building art for games. The Chengdu-based team has worked on AAA and AA releases across console and mobile games.
Andrea Cordella said, "I knew from the moment I met Deborah and the team at Side that the company aligned with the values my team and I hold dear. We strive for excellence and hold creativity close to our hearts – games are the only art medium where the consumer plays an equal role to the creator, and we will continue to deliver that creativity to every brief, now collaborating with teams across the world and supporting developers on a range of projects. It goes without saying, but I can't wait to get started."
Side's QA offering recently expanded through a partnership with leading AI QA platform, Modl.ai, announced at Gamescom earlier this year. Side, which provides Player Support, QA, Localisation, LQA, Datasets, Codev, Art and Audio, already offers its full suite of services to China-based developers.
The new studio, combined with new expertise in environment art through Andrea and his team, will allow the company to offer developers in China and beyond more than ever before.
About Side:
Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009, Side has grown from their Japanese roots to become a global force in the technology industry, with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Their industry-leading services include art production, game development, audio production, quality assurance, localisation, localisation QA, player support, community management, and datasets. For more information, visit www.side.inc
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Side Acquires Boutique Art Studio Roboto Entertainment in Creative Services Push
New Personalized Diploma Program builds on ISHCMC's academic legacy, offering greater choice for Grades 11 and 12 while retaining the full IB Diploma Programme.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) will introduce a new Personalized Diploma Program (PDP) from August 2027, expanding academic choices for students in Grades 11 and 12 alongside its established International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Building on a learning community shaped by generations of students, educators and families since 1993, the expanded model gives students more ways to shape their senior studies around their strengths, interests and future ambitions. Through a combination of academic choice and educator guidance, ISHCMC aims to help each student make informed decisions about their next steps while contributing to a community that continues to grow with every generation.
Different pathways. A future shaped over generations.
The full IBDP will remain an important part of ISHCMC's academic offering. The PDP provides an alternative for students seeking a different combination of subjects, bringing together individual IB Diploma courses, Advanced Placement (AP) courses and ISHCMC courses within a personalized program.
Both pathways lead to the ISHCMC High School Diploma, with additional qualifications available depending on the courses taken and assessments completed. Students completing the full IBDP may also earn the IB Diploma by meeting the International Baccalaureate's requirements. Students following the PDP may earn individual IB course and AP certificates, depending on their course choices and assessment results.
The expanded model recognizes that students may have different interests, strengths and intended university destinations. Rather than expecting every student to follow the same route, ISHCMC will support students in exploring the options available and building an academic program suited to their goals.
"At ISHCMC, every generation benefits from what those before them have built, while adding something of their own. Expanding our academic pathways is about giving students more ways to build on their strengths, pursue their ambitions and shape their futures, supported by the experience and community that have grown here over generations." Mr. Marco Longmore, Head of School.
Guidance that carries learning forward
Choosing a senior academic pathway is an important decision for students and their families. University requirements vary by country, institution and degree program, making informed subject selection an essential part of planning for life after school.
ISHCMC's High School and Future Pathways teams will work with students and families to explore course options, understand relevant university entry requirements and make considered decisions about their academic direction. Both pathways can support university applications, with eligibility depending on the qualifications completed and the requirements of each university and program.
The PDP is not intended to be a less demanding alternative to the full IBDP. It offers a different way to structure senior studies around individual goals and course choices, with the expectations and requirements of each course remaining central to the student's academic experience.
"Every student's next steps will look different, and our role is to help them understand what those steps require. By working closely with students and families, we can connect individual interests with informed academic choices, helping students approach their future plans with greater clarity and purpose." Mr. Kohulan Jeganathan, High School Principal.
The new model will begin in August 2027. Ahead of entry into Grades 11 and 12, ISHCMC will work with students and families to explain the available pathways, explore course options and support planning for the transition into senior school. Families can contact the ISHCMC High School and Future Pathways teams to discuss the options and relevant academic requirements.
About the International School Ho Chi Minh City
Established in 1993, the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is a full-continuum IB international school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, offering education from Early Years through Grade 12. Its community brings together families from more than 60 nationalities.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
ISHCMC expands academic pathways, giving students more ways to shape their futures
ISHCMC expands academic pathways, giving students more ways to shape their futures
