Emergence of Pretty Cool Games
In recent years, party games have enjoyed a notable revival, with titles like Human: Fall Flat capturing the attention of gamers worldwide. Riding this wave of popularity, Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley have unveiled their ambitious venture, Pretty Cool Games, a fully remote indie studio nestled in the UK. The duo is set to introduce a new intellectual property (IP), having successfully secured funding from Coreblazer, the investment arm of HyperGryph, the Shanghai-based studio renowned for its acclaimed title, Arknights.
Currently, Pretty Cool Games is hard at work on its inaugural project, which is characterized as a double-A, physics-based game that prioritizes gameplay above all else. Clare Yang, head of investment at HyperGryph, has noted that the studio has already showcased prototypes, indicating a promising start to their development journey.
The yet-to-be-titled game draws inspiration from a diverse array of sources, including the innovative design of Nintendo, the narrative-driven experiences crafted by Hazelight, the enchanting atmosphere of Disney theme parks, and the slapstick charm of classic physical comedy films such as The Pink Panther.
Sitara Shefta
We want to create something memorable, timeless, and so much fun that you remember it with delight years after you first played it.
Despite acknowledging the current challenges facing the gaming industry—particularly in securing investment funding—Pretty Cool Games remains optimistic. The studio emphasizes that the appetite for innovative gaming experiences continues unabated.
On their website, Pretty Cool Games articulates their mission:
Everything we do is fantastically playful and we are serious about fun, from development at Pretty Cool to the game in players’ hands. We’re driven by creativity and quality, making highly entertaining PC & Console games as a small but mighty team. Whilst we’re a relatively new studio, our team is incredibly experienced having led and developed multiple smash-hit and award-winning titles over the years. As a fully-remote UK based studio, we’re able to work with the best (and nicest!) people wherever they might live.
With a commitment to player expression and engagement, Pretty Cool Games is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming landscape, promising experiences that resonate long after the screen goes dark.
