New Chengdu team brings environment and world-building expertise to Side’s global Art offering
We are proud to announce that Andrea Cordella has joined Side as Global Head of Art, bringing with him over 30 years of games industry experience. His appointment follows Side’s acquisition of boutique game art studio Roboto Entertainment, bringing Andrea and his team of artists and designers into our global Art offering.
While Side has delivered character art for the likes of Borderlands 4, Risk of Rain 2: Alloyed Collective and Civilization VII, the new team brings additional expertise in environment and world-building art. Based out of our new Chengdu studio in China, Andrea will lead Side’s global Art teams across our network of studios in EMEA, APAC and the Americas while also serving as head of Side Chengdu.
Portfolio snapshot of Side's new Chengdu-based team.
With the opening of Side Chengdu, our second studio in mainland China alongside Side Shanghai, we are expanding both our regional presence and our Art capabilities. 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.
“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.
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.”
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.
For more information on our Art capabilities and to learn how we can support your next project, get in touch.
Quotes
“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.”
Top photo caption (left to right): Deborah Kirkham, CEO of Side; Andrea Cordella, Global Head of Art and Chengdu Studio Head at Side; and Teppei Tachibana, Chairman of Side, President and CEO of Pole To Win Holdings officially announce Side Chengdu.