Expression Games, the previously all‑remote studio known for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam and its co‑development role on Star Wars Galactic Racer, has announced the launch of a brick‑and‑mortar office in Manchester. The decision, explained by CEO Errol Ismail, stems from a combination of staff preferences and the practical requirements of the studio’s collaborative partners. Since its debut in August, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has moved more than one million copies, a milestone that the company highlighted in its announcement. In parallel, Expression spent two years working alongside Fuse Games on the Star Wars Galactic Racer project.
The studio itself was founded in 2022 after Ismail and several senior members left Fabrik following its acquisition by Firesprite, a Liverpool‑based PlayStation subsidiary. Since its inception, Expression has consistently earned recognition in the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards, underscoring its strong workplace culture. "A physical space has always been part of our long‑term growth strategy," Ismail told GamesIndustry.biz, adding that this does not mean abandoning the remote‑first model that predates Expression. "When I was studio director at Fabrik, we adopted a fully remote approach to tap into talent across the United Kingdom.
That philosophy remains central to our identity." Nevertheless, the company has been working toward opening a dedicated office—a plan that was temporarily delayed by what Ismail referred to as the "industry crash at the end of 2023." The new Manchester location is envisioned as a creative hub where team members can gather, brainstorm, and collaborate in person. "It isn’t a replacement for remote work; it’s an additional option that gives our people flexibility," Ismail emphasized. Attendance will be entirely optional, and the studio will maintain its policy of no fixed working hours, allowing employees to decide when and how to use the space. "The office reflects our culture while offering an inspiring environment for those who want to work together face‑to‑face," he added.
The move is also a direct response to shifts in the talent market. "Our people are seeking more connection, and we need to facilitate that," Ismail said, noting that just over half of the current staff live close enough to commute to the new premises. By providing a physical gathering point, Expression hopes to nurture those interpersonal bonds that can be harder to cultivate through video calls alone.
Manchester’s vibrant creative scene played a significant role in the location choice. "It’s a fantastic city for game development," Ismail explained. "We wanted a space where people could meet, spend time together, and support the lifestyles of our talent.
The Northern Quarter is buzzing with creative businesses and cultural activity, which aligns perfectly with our ethos." Beyond internal collaboration, the Manchester office will support Expression’s future co‑development initiatives. Certain projects require on‑site infrastructure, especially when the studio hosts data for partner work. "We need physical infrastructure to work on certain projects with certain partners because we’re hosting data on our site," Ismail noted. The new facility therefore prepares the studio for the next phase of growth and success, providing the technical backbone needed for more complex collaborations.
Education and talent development are also central to the studio’s vision for the new space. Expression has established relationships with Manchester Metropolitan University and previously collaborated with institutions in Bolton. Ismail highlighted the intention to deepen these partnerships: "It’s important for us to support educational partners and help build something significant together." In summary, Expression Games is expanding its footprint by opening a Manchester studio that will coexist with its remote‑first philosophy.
The office aims to foster creativity, strengthen community ties, meet the logistical needs of co‑development partners, and serve as a bridge to local universities. By offering a flexible, optional workspace, the company hopes to attract and retain top talent while staying true to the culture that has earned it multiple workplace awards. The Manchester location signals a broader industry trend where studios balance the benefits of remote work with the undeniable advantages of physical collaboration spaces. As the talent market evolves, companies like Expression are experimenting with hybrid models that give employees the freedom to choose how they work best, while still providing the infrastructure necessary for ambitious, data‑intensive projects.
This approach could set a new standard for how game development studios operate in the post‑crash era, combining the best of both worlds to drive innovation and maintain a healthy, connected workforce.