KW Studios explained

KW Studios Ltd.
Former Name:
  • SimBin Studios (2003–2014)
  • Sector3 Studios (2014–2022)
Type:Subsidiary
Foundation:June 2003
Location City:Lidköping
Location Country:Sweden
Locations:1
Key People:Chris Speed (CEO)
Industry:Video games
Num Employees:8
Parent:KW Automotive

KW Studios Ltd. (formerly SimBin Studios[1] and Sector3 Studios) is a Swedish video game developer and publisher. It was founded in 2003, and it develops racing simulators for Windows PC, with its headquarters in Lidköping, Sweden. The company originally started as a modding team for the Image Space Incorporated game F1 2002, releasing a mod based on the 2002 season of the FIA GT championship,[2] essentially the precursor to its first commercial game.

The company has released GTR - FIA GT Racing Game, GT Legends, and a sequel to GTR Racing called GTR - FIA GT Racing Game 2, all published by 10tacle as well as RACE - The Official WTCC Game published by Eidos Interactive and RACE 07 - The Official WTCC Game which was the first SimBin game to include Formula cars. RACE 07 has gone on to have nine expansion packs released for it: GTR Evolution, STCC - The Game, Race On, Formula Raceroom, STCC The Game 2, GT Power Expansion, WTCC 2010, Retro Expansion, and Race Injection. Although the company mainly focuses on racing simulators for Windows, Race Pro was developed for the Xbox 360 console, published by Atari and released in February 2009. In May 2009 SimBin released Volvo – The Game as a freeware for Windows. It included six cars, two racetracks and a time trial mode. Cars include the Volvo S60, Volvo S40 and Volvo 850. In 2013, SimBin released RaceRoom Racing Experience, a new free to play game that connects fans of racing around a game, motorsports portal and online store.

By September 2014, SimBin Studios officially changed their name to Sector3 Studios, as part of a company restructuring.[3] The name was changed primarily because the former was contractually tied to the location, and the team wanted to move to a more populous area. In January 2022, German automotive parts manufacturer KW Automotive had quietly acquired Sector3 Studios and renamed it to KW Studios.[4]

Games developed

TitleRelease dateGenrePlatformRemarks
GTR – FIA GT Racing GameMarch 11, 2005Sim racingWindows
GT LegendsOctober 15, 2005Sim racingWindows
GTR 2 – FIA GT Racing GameSeptember 29, 2006Sim racingWindows
Race – The Official WTCC GameNovember 24, 2006Sim racingWindows
Race 07 – The Official WTCC GameOctober 12, 2007Sim racingWindows
Race ProFebruary 17, 2009Sim racingXbox 360
Volvo – The GameMay 26, 2009Sim racingWindows
RaceRoom Racing ExperienceFebruary 12, 2013Sim racingWindows
GTR 3Cancelled Sim racingCo-developed with SimBin UK.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SimBin declares bankruptcy and reforms as Sector 3 Studios . 11 September 2014.
  2. Web site: Throwback Thursdays - History of SimBin . 2022-11-17 . www.isrtv.com. August 2014.
  3. Web site: SimBin Studios Restructuring! . 2022-11-17 . www.isrtv.com. 28 July 2014.
  4. Web site: Sector 3 Studios Now KW Studios. Wheatley. Tim. RaceSimCentral.net. January 27, 2022. July 29, 2022.