Unity opens new L.A. office staffed by some Insomniac vets

Game engine maker Unity Technologies announced this week that it's opened a new office in Los Angeles and brought on two Insomniac Games veterans, Andreas Fredriksson and Mike Acton, to work out of the new digs as principal engineers.

The fact that Unity is expanding is notable, but it's especially interesting to see the company snap up Fredriksson and Acton, who each have a significant degree of experience as technical leads in the game industry.

“Mike and Andreas have built a legacy in data-oriented programming and best-in-class AAA engine development,” stated Unity cofounder and CTO Joachim Ante in a press release announcing the new office. “Applying the lessons of data-oriented design is a core part of the future of Unity Technologies. Mike and Andreas are the obvious choices to propel us towards that future.”

Acton, of course, has long served as the engine director at LA.-based Insomniac Games. He's given a number of talks at game dev events, and blogged periodically here on Gamasutra. Fredriksson also previously served a lengthy stint at Insomniac as a lead engine programmer, and has spoken publicly at events like CEDEC and GDC about the ins and outs of programming.