South Carolina Company Starts Video Game Development Studio

Steam Shovel, the gaming division of 803 Productions, seeks to put South Carolina on the gaming map by becoming the latest player in the video game industry. The Myrtle Beach, SC, based company is currently collaborating with Atari-owned Humongous of Seattle, WA, on an untitled video game for Playstation 2, Nintendo Gamecube and Windows PC systems.

Myrtle Beach, SC (PRWEB) August 27, 2006 -- Gamers, get ready. Steam Shovel, the gaming division of 803 Productions, seeks to put South Carolina on the gaming map by becoming the latest player in the video game industry.

The Myrtle Beach, SC, based company is currently collaborating with Atari-owned Humongous of Seattle, WA, on an untitled video game for Playstation 2, Nintendo Gamecube and Windows PC systems. The tentative release date is Christmas 2006.

Though most video game development is more prominent in larger cities, Steam Shovel is the only company providing this service in South Carolina, leading the southern market into new technical arenas. Steam Shovel is made up of seasoned game developers with over 12 years of combined experience. “I think South Carolina can be a competitive alternative to overseas outsourcing,” says Paul Reynolds, founder of Steam Shovel and a Partner in 803 Productions. Every advantage is necessary in the competitive gaming business as the stakes are continuing to reach new heights. According to the Entertainment Software Association, computer and video game sales topped more than seven billion dollars in 2005 with 42% of Americans purchasing or planning to purchase one or more games in 2006.

The partners at Steam Shovel, however, feel up to the challenge, and are more than confident with the prospect of their gaming future. “This project is expanding the scope of what Myrtle Beach and South Carolina has to offer,” says 803 partner André Pope. “We're showcasing local talent on an international scale."

Steam Shovel is currently acquiring motion capture systems for future projects. Their eventual goal is to create full projects on handheld platform, such as Nintendo DS. Collaborations with companies such as Humongous, best known for the Backyard Sports series, are just the beginning.

For more information, visit www.steam-shovel.com, or www.www.atari.com/us/genre/kids.

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