Atomicom Transforms into Starlight Games, Shifting Focus to Original IPs

Veteran game developer Gary Nichols has relaunched his studio, formerly known as Atomicom, as Starlight Games, signaling a new era in game development. Established in Liverpool, the team had been operating under the Atomicom banner since 2010. "We wanted to create a fresh start and focus on developing our own intellectual properties, which led to the birth of Starlight Games," founder and CEO Gary Nichols explains to GamesIndustry.biz. The rebranding was made possible by new investments, allowing the studio to shift its focus from work-for-hire projects to building a team around original IPs. As a result, the Atomicom name has been retired, although it will still exist for administrative purposes related to a historical IP deal and tax relief. The entire team has transitioned to the new Starlight Games banner and continues to operate from the same Liverpool office. The founding team includes new recruits such as production designer Ben Cronin, design director Nick Burcombe, and game director Andy Santos. "We already had a solid core team and wanted to expand on that by leveraging our connections, experience, and history to attract the right talent, both internally and through contractors who share our vision," Nichols says. "We've made a concerted effort to bring in new people and provide them with a great work environment, as well as opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of our new studio." Nichols continues: "We're a tight-knit team with ambitious plans for the games we want to create – fun, diverse, and innovative titles. We also aim to foster new talent within the studio, offering opportunities for passionate game developers to break into the industry and grow with us." Starlight Games is currently working on several projects, including a sequel to House of Golf, a new sports game, and a science fiction strategy simulation game. The studio is committed to involving young talent in the development process. For instance, Starlight Games is collaborating with a group of students who are working on projects using Epic's Unreal Editor for Fortnite. "We have a close relationship with a local university, providing students with a platform to learn and excel during their final year of study," Nichols notes. "Many of these students have gone on to graduate and are now working in the games industry, with some even joining our team." One of the studio's primary objectives is to focus on nurturing young talent while utilizing an established pool of developers and creators. "In today's noisy market, it's challenging for new voices to be heard. Our approach is to proactively seek out talented individuals," Nichols emphasizes. "We attend university open days, engage with lecturers, and look for passionate and motivated students with talent. We've been fortunate to find some exceptional young programmers, including one who completed the Mastered program, demonstrating their determination to succeed in the games industry." Despite the current industry climate of layoffs and studio closures, Nichols remains optimistic about the future of the UK games industry, citing the efforts of organizations such as the Games Fund and the success of UK-based studios. "The Games Fund's initiatives, such as supporting independent developers and awarding grants, along with the Mastered program and the breakthrough hits from UK studios, demonstrate the vast potential for success in the UK games industry and our drive to make things happen." "Throughout 2023, we were in discussions with publishers, and it's clear that many are not signing new games or have limited resources. We received a few offers, but they weren't mutually beneficial. While we're open to collaborating with partners and publishers, we're striving to reach a point where we don't have to rely on them if it's not in our best interest. The industry is evolving, and we must adapt to this new landscape."