Expression Games, the formerly fully remote studio behind the hit title Hell Let Loose: Vietnam and a co‑developer on Star Wars Galactic Racer, has revealed plans to open a brick‑and‑mortar office in Manchester. The move, according to chief executive Errol Ismail, is driven by the evolving needs of both the company’s employees and its collaborative partners.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has moved over one million copies since its launch in August, a milestone the studio highlighted in its announcement. Ismail also noted that the team has spent the past two years working alongside Fuse Games on the upcoming Star Wars Galactic Racer project. Expression Games was founded in 2022 after Ismail and several other senior staff left Fabrik following its acquisition by Firesprite, a Liverpool‑based PlayStation subsidiary. Since its inception, the studio has consistently earned recognition at the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards.
"A physical location has always been part of our long‑term growth strategy," Ismail told GamesIndustry.biz, emphasizing that this decision does not signal an abandonment of remote work. "The choice to operate fully remotely actually predates Expression; it was made when I was studio director at Fabrik. Remote work allowed us to tap into talent across the entire United Kingdom." Nevertheless, the company has always intended to complement its remote‑first policy with a dedicated office space—a plan that was delayed by what Ismail referred to as the "industry crash at the end of 2023." The new Manchester hub is envisioned as a creative nucleus where team members can gather, brainstorm, and collaborate in person.
"It isn’t about replacing remote work; it’s about giving our staff additional ways to work," Ismail explained. Attendance will be entirely optional, and the studio will maintain its current practice of having no fixed working hours, leaving schedule decisions to individual employees. The office, he added, "reflects our culture while providing an inspiring environment for those who prefer face‑to‑face interaction." "We’re responding to the current talent market dynamics," Ismail said.
"Our people are seeking more personal connections, and we need to facilitate that." Slightly more than half of the existing staff live close enough to the Manchester site to use it regularly. The choice of Manchester was also influenced by the city’s vibrant creative scene. "Manchester is a fantastic place to build games.
We wanted a space where people could meet, spend time together, and support the lifestyle of our talent," Ismail noted. He highlighted the Northern Quarter as a particularly lively district, brimming with other creative enterprises and cultural activity, which aligns with the studio’s flexible, no‑core‑hours philosophy. Beyond internal collaboration, the new office is expected to bolster Expression’s future co‑development projects. "Certain partners require on‑site infrastructure because we host data on our premises," Ismail explained.
"Having a physical studio prepares us for the next wave of growth and success." Education and talent development also feature prominently in the studio’s roadmap. The Manchester location will serve as a bridge to local academic institutions. "We already have a partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and a long‑standing relationship with Bolton, and we’re expanding those ties," Ismail said.
"Supporting educational partners helps us nurture the next generation of creators and build something meaningful together." In summary, Expression Games is adding a Manchester office to complement its remote‑first culture, offering staff a flexible choice between working from home and gathering in a dedicated creative space. The studio aims to strengthen internal collaboration, meet the expectations of co‑development partners, and deepen its connections with the local academic community, all while preserving the freedom and flexibility that have defined its workplace ethos since its founding.