THE SOFTWARE provider behind hit gaming sensation Pokémon Go has secured a new Brighton office following a period of rapid expansion. Unity Technologies has signed up to the 16,124 sq ft at CityView office scheme on Stroudley Road on a 10-year lease, affirming its commitment to the city.

Unity will be relocating from its existing offices on Portland Street and will move some 120 employees into CityView by September.

The global games software provider makes what is known as a game engine, the code beneath the graphics and sound of a game that handles its basic operations. Game engines are essential for developers, greatly accelerating the completion of a game.

Since its involvement in the hit Pokémon Go game, Unity Technologies, which is headquartered in San Francisco, has announced that it has been valued at some $1.5bn (£1.1bn).

Earlier this year Unity, which also makes software for Lara Croft and Monument Valley, raised $181m in new funding.

The funding comes at a time of renewed demand for 3D games development tools, thanks to the emergence of virtual-reality headsets.

Its new office, the speculatively developed 32,000 sq ft office building CityView is now fully let to a mix of tenants that reflect Brighton’s status as an emerging tech hub.

Its high specification, targeted at tech users, has attracted a host of high-growth occupiers.

IT infrastructure provider Ideal Networks have taken 11,608 sq ft on the ground and first floor and have already moved in.

Digital marketing agency Rocket Mill has relocated from Crawley and taken 4,353 sq ft on the lower ground floor.

Angus Monteith, manager at CityView developer McAleer & Rushe, said: “There is still considerable demand from tech occupiers for the best Grade A office space in Brighton.

"We signed three quality tenants shortly after completing construction which is a tremendous endorsement of the building. There is now an extremely positive rental and income growth story given Brighton’s recognised quality of life advantages over other locations close to London.”