Expression Games, the previously fully remote studio known for Hell Let Loose Vietnam and its co‑development role on Star Wars Galactic Racer, has revealed plans to open a brick‑and‑mortar office in Manchester. The decision, explained by chief executive Errol Ismail, is driven by a combination of staff preferences and the practical requirements of the studio's collaborative partners.
Hell Let Loose Vietnam has moved more than a million copies since its launch in August, a milestone the company highlighted in its announcement. In addition, Ismail confirmed that the studio has spent the past two years working alongside Fuse Games on the development of Star Wars Galactic Racer. Expression Games itself was founded in 2022 after Ismail and several other senior figures left Fabrik following its acquisition by Firesprite, a Liverpool‑based PlayStation subsidiary.
Since its inception, the studio has consistently earned accolades at the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places to Work Awards, underscoring its reputation as a desirable employer. "A physical space was always part of our long‑term growth plans," Ismail told GamesIndustry.biz, but he stressed that this would not come at the expense of the remote‑working model that the company adopted before Expression even existed, when he was studio director at Fabrik. "We saw an opportunity to recruit talent all across the UK," he added, highlighting the flexibility that a remote‑first approach offers when hunting for skilled developers. The Manchester office, however, is intended to function as a "creative hub" where team members can gather, brainstorm, and collaborate face‑to‑face.
The idea was temporarily set aside by what Ismail described as the "industry crash at the end of 2023," but the studio has now revived the plan to give employees an optional space for in‑person interaction. "It's not about replacing remote work; it's about offering talent different ways of working," he explained.
Attendance will remain voluntary, and the company will continue its policy of no fixed working hours, allowing staff to decide how best to use the new facility. According to Ismail, the office "reflects our culture while offering an inspiring environment for those who want to work together in person." The move is also a direct response to current trends in the talent market. "Our people need more connections, they want more connections, and we need to facilitate that," Ismail said, noting that just over half of the existing team lives close enough to commute to the new location.
The choice of Manchester was influenced by the city's vibrant creative scene. "It's a fantastic city to build games in. The Northern Quarter is a fun place with a lot of creative businesses," he remarked, adding that the environment aligns with the studio's emphasis on lifestyle flexibility and the absence of core hours.
Beyond supporting internal collaboration, the Manchester studio will serve a strategic purpose for Expression's co‑development work. Certain projects require on‑site infrastructure, such as hosting data and providing secure environments for partner teams.
"We need physical infrastructure to work on certain projects with certain partners because we're hosting data on our site," Ismail explained, positioning the new office as a preparation for the next phase of growth and success. Education and talent development are also key components of the studio's vision for the Manchester hub.
The company already maintains relationships with Manchester Metropolitan University and has previously collaborated with institutions in Bolton. Ismail said the studio aims to deepen these partnerships, helping to nurture the next generation of game developers. "It's important for us that we're supporting education partners to build something significant," he stated. In summary, Expression Games is expanding its operational footprint by establishing a physical studio in Manchester while preserving its remote‑first ethos.
The new office will act as a flexible, optional meeting point for staff, a venue for collaborative projects with external partners, and a bridge to local academic institutions. By doing so, the company hopes to meet the evolving expectations of its workforce, capitalize on Manchester's creative ecosystem, and lay the groundwork for future co‑development initiatives and talent pipelines. The announcement reflects a broader industry shift toward hybrid work models that blend the autonomy of remote work with the creative synergy that can arise from shared physical spaces.
For Expression Games, the Manchester studio represents a strategic investment in both its people and its partners, ensuring that the studio remains adaptable, innovative, and well‑positioned for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.