Makielab Formed, Sulake's Haro Joins Up

Sulka Haro, the lead designer on popular virtual world Habbo Hotel, has left developer Sulake to join new startup studio Makielab. The designer has left Sulake Corporation in Finland after working there for over 10 years, and is the final Makielab founder to be announced. Announcing the move on his personal blog, Haro explained, "Leaving Sulake was not easy. I worked there for over 10 years, so the company and Habbo will be part of me for the rest of my life. Having said that, it started to feel like it was time to let go, so here I am." He continued, "I’m super excited about the company, and very happy about the other founders - Alice, Jo and Luke are all awesome, and we’re planning to do beautiful, exciting things." Makielab was founded earlier this year by Alice Taylor -- previously commissioning editor at Channel 4 Education -- and is set to develop digital toys, games and customizable content. Other Makielab founders include Luke Petre, formerly of Bitminion who also designed the backend tools for LittleBigPlanet, and Jo Roach, who has worked in the past on social media projects for UK television company Channel 4. The team is currently working on its first unannounced product, which is due for release later this year.