A new indie games studio, Scallywag Arcade, has been launched in Liverpool by experienced UK industry veterans who have secured a maverick entertainment IP for their launch title.
With a mantra of ‘Explore, Play, Get Messy’, the impetus for the new venture comes from UK-based creative innovators and XR experts Draw & Code, a work-for-hire studio with over 150 projects under their belts. The result of a life-long passion for engaging and creative play, Scallywag Arcade sees the team utilise their enviable games experience to set up the new dedicated division.
Scallywag Arcade is helmed by industry veterans who have plied their trade at Warner Bros Games, Evolution Studios, Just Add Water, Aardman and Merge Games amongst others.
The team is guided by CEO Spencer Crossley, a games industry executive formerly at Warner Bros Games, Sony Computer Entertainment, Hasbro and more. From the 1990s to today, Spencer’s resume is littered with successes including publishing multiple instalments of the Lego video game franchise and Batman: Arkham Asylum along with other smash hits.
“Building teams and watching them shake things up is what drives me,” explained Crossley. “I’ve been part of start-ups, scale-ups and majors but the team at Scallywag Arcade are turning the innovation and inspiration up to 11 and we can’t wait to share what we’re cooking up.”
For their first title, Scallywag Arcade are working in partnership with a “global entertainment IP” to create a VR-first title that is unlike anything else on the market. This game is in production now with the release date yet to be announced.
“To say we were buzzing when we got our hands on this IP would be an understatement,” head of games Niall Taylor said. “When weighing up the best platform for the concept it was a slam dunk for VR.”
While Scallywag Arcade is an experienced crew, it is also nurturing young talent as it builds a studio that aims to capture a spirit of exploration, fun and new ideas. Animator Janie Dang commented: “We have a pile of ideas driven by a variety of creative voices and experts in their field; we embrace anything a little off-centre and different.”
The new venture is already looking to scale the team and actively encourages any prospective Scallywags who feel they want to be part of a close-knit team with a rebellious nature to get in touch.
The launch of Scallywag Arcade coincides with Develop, the UK’s largest games industry event which kicks off tomorrow in Brighton and brings the industry together to celebrate achievements and marvel at the future of games. The studio’s senior team will be attending to tease what’s to come for Scallywag Arcade and begin putting their name on the games map.
