Side buys Roboto Entertainment, adding Chengdu studio to its China operations
Side has acquired games art studio Roboto Entertainment, which was founded by industry veteran Andrea Cordella. The studio has been renamed Side Chengdu, giving Side its first China base outside Shanghai and expanding its global art services. Cordella will lead the Chengdu team while also serving as global head of art.
Side has bought Roboto Entertainment, an art studio started by Andrea Cordella. The team, now Side Chengdu, gives Side its first Chinese location outside Shanghai. Its portfolio includes Cookie Jam Blast, Property Home Brothers Home Design, and Castle Story, spanning console and mobile projects.
Side describes this as its biggest art-services expansion since acquiring 5518 Studios in 2021. The company points to China's projected $59.8 billion market by 2030 and high player engagement. Cordella will oversee Chengdu while directing Side's global art division, working with Shanghai and teams across the US, Asia, and EMEA.
This acquisition could affect game artists, developers, and players by expanding outsourcing capacity in Chengdu and linking it to a global network. Local creatives may gain access to larger projects, while smaller studios could face more competition for talent. Developers may find broader art-service options, potentially influencing production timelines and the variety of games reaching players. The impact remains uncertain and depends on how Side integrates the team and sustains creative autonomy.