Veteran Game Developer Tom Stone Takes On Peter Pan Project

In 2020, Tom Stone, a UK games industry veteran, stepped down as managing director of TT Games, the renowned Lego games maker, to pursue new ventures. Following his departure, Stone became the chair of FuturLab, the developer of Powerwash Simulator, and managing director of the venture capital firm Juno Capital Partners. Later, in 2024, Stone had a conversation with The Blair Partnership and Great Ormond Street Hospital, which led to the formation of Second Star Games. The studio is staffed by former TT Games colleagues, including lead game designer Andrew Holt, art director Nicola Daly, and head of engineering Chris Stanforth. Stone is investing his own money in the venture, with the majority of funding coming from Grahame Chilton, who previously funded Lego Star Wars: The Video Game. The company is considering partnering with a publisher or going solo. Stone aims to do things differently this time, taking a more balanced approach to game development. Although TT Games achieved immense success with its Lego series, the studio faced criticism for its intense work culture. Stone acknowledges the challenges and wants to create a more supportive environment at Second Star Games. The studio is working on a Peter Pan game, with the goal of creating a memorable experience for players. Stone believes that developers must be open to tough and challenging work to achieve extraordinary things. With a team of 18 full-time employees, Second Star Games is setting high goals, including a particular design feature that will be very challenging to achieve. The games industry has changed significantly since 2005, with the rise of new platforms and games like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite. Stone is aware of these changes and wants to create something special, targeting an age group of five to 13 years old. The studio is also mindful of the importance of discoverability, with many games being released, making it hard for players to find new titles. Working on licensed IP has also evolved, with companies becoming more relaxed about their intellectual properties and open to video game adaptations. Stone explains that licensers now recognize the power of video games in enhancing and growing intellectual properties. The magic of Lego, combined with other franchises, has helped give those franchises a boost, creating a symbiotic relationship. Across its history, TT Games has worked on various intellectual properties, including Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Marvel. Stone aims to build a similar range of intellectual properties at Second Star Games, starting with Neverland and the adventures of Peter Pan. The studio has received inbound interest from other IP holders and will be selective in choosing which properties to work on. Stone envisions families gathering around a screen, playing games together in co-op mode, with Peter Pan as the central attraction. The goal is to build a stable of expertise in the young gamer space, creating a new way for families to share stories and experiences. Stone concludes that introducing co-op play into the first Lego Star Wars game was a breakthrough moment, and he plans to build on that success with Second Star Games.