Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, veterans from the Human: Fall Flat development team, have officially announced the establishment of a new independent game studio—Pretty Cool Games. Based in the UK and operating fully remotely, the studio has already secured funding from Hypergryph's investment division in Shanghai.
Pretty Cool Games is reportedly developing a brand-new IP. Clare Yang, Head of Investment at Hypergryph, revealed that the studio has already shown them a game prototype.
The studio positions its debut title as a AA (double-A) physics-based game, adhering to a “gameplay first” design philosophy. Although no release date has been set, the team is rapidly prototyping and iterating to test various ideas within the game, with a core focus on “player expression” to drive fun and engagement.
This as-yet-unnamed new title draws inspiration from a rich variety of sources:
· Nintendo's game design philosophy;
· The collaborative storytelling style of Hazelight Studios (It Takes Two, Split Fiction);
· The immersive fun of Disney theme parks;
· The humorous spirit of the classic physical comedy film The Pink Panther.
In a statement, Sitara Shefta said, “We want to create something memorable and timeless—so much fun that you'll look back on it with joy even years after playing.”
Pretty Cool Games acknowledges that the current gaming industry landscape is tough, with fundraising being particularly challenging, but emphasizes that “this does not mean player demand for new games has decreased.” Establishing a new studio during an industry contraction also demonstrates the team's confidence in their creativity and market needs.