Sumo has formed a collaboration with Arm to evaluate mobile game performance on innovative AI-driven chips

Picture of an Arm system-on-a-chip

Image credit: Arm

Sumo Digital, a UK-based gaming company, is collaborating with Arm, known for its chip expertise, to assess the performance of Arm's developing neural technology.

The game developer will be testing Arm's new neural tech in practical development settings. According to Arm, their innovation, powered by AI-fueled neural accelerators within their GPUs, will enable mobile devices to deliver graphics that are comparable to those found on PCs.

Gary Dunn, CEO of Sumo Digital, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating: "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Arm to explore the potential of this groundbreaking technology."

He continued by saying that Arm's neural technology will fundamentally change the landscape of mobile gaming.

Dunn added that along with Arm, they are working on a project that showcases the technology's potential and are eager to present demonstrations at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in the coming week.

Chris Bergey, Executive Vice President of Arm's Edge AI Business unit, highlighted the challenge of bringing high-quality desktop graphics to mobile platforms. He stated that Arm's neural technology promises to deliver immersive gaming experiences and, in partnership with Sumo Digital, aims to streamline the development process for enhanced visual output on mobile.

In 2023, Arm became a publicly traded company following an attempt by Nvidia to purchase the company from SoftBank, a deal that did not go through, ultimately leading to the layoff of up to 960 employees.

Sumo Digital has also undergone significant changes. After being acquired by Tencent, a Chinese tech and entertainment conglomerate, in 2021, Sumo has divested several subsidiaries, including The Chinese Room, Secret Mode publishing, Auroch Digital, and the Polish division of PixelAnt.

With Sumo's founders leaving, new leadership has taken over with co-CEOs Gary Dunn and Andy Stewart. Recently, another wave of layoffs was announced by the company.

This shift appears to signal a strategic move towards focusing more on "development services" for partners, though Dunn mentioned in a conversation with GamesIndustry.biz that there remains interest in exploring original intellectual properties.

Dunn affirmed, "We continue to develop new IPs and create complete games for clients. Presently, we're developing two titles for Secret Mode, Nutmeg! and Tabitha, alongside other comprehensive projects for other clients and their properties. We still operate as a full-service game developer."