143 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 With a strong focus on staff wellbeing and internal culture, Hyper Luminal Games (HLG) is bucking the game industry trend for employee retention, whilst continuing to grow and expand. We speak to Rob Madden and Stuart Martin to find out more in the wake of HLG being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2022. Hyper luminal Games (HLG) is a prolific, fast growing and exciting games development studio based in Dundee, Scotland. In its short 7-year history the company has grown from two Co-founders and former Hons Graduates of the world class games institution Abertay University, to a full time team of over 60. The team works across programming, art, design, quality assurance, production, and management. The founders put staff development and support of the team at the heart of the business. This dedication to ensuring HLG is a positive inclusive environment to work in has helped propel it to become one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. With a strong focus to “make games better”, this sits at the core of the company’s ethos in the clients they work with, quality of work it produces, and how it wins new business. The studio has managed to develop two distinct sides of development its own OIP and its work for hire business, both with growing reputations amongst international publishers and clients in the public, private and third sector. HLG has developed three internal OIP, the first Big Crown Showdown was released in 2019, on all major console platforms, this will be followed up by Pine Hearts and Cloud Jumper both in development and scheduled for release in 2023 and 2024, aimed at the wholesome gaming market. Rob commented “our work for hire helps support our OIP development, and introduces us to a wide variety of major independent and international companies and publishers, which has been an enormous help in scaling up the business and the team” During the pandemic the studio adapted by safeguarding the team, closing its studio, and setting the whole team up remotely, whilst growing the team and helping to Launch Venture Valley; a high-profile game being built for the US based charity the Singleton Foundation. The game teaches financial literacy in schools and to young adults across America and is available completely for free. The culture within the company steers away from poor development practices and adopts a personal development plan for each team member. Each plan will include at various times throughout the year when required one to one coaching sessions, external training, and mental health and well-being support, along with an annual salary and performance review with an additional bonus potential. The games industry should be challenging in a positive way but also fun; regular studio film nights, game jams and social events help maintain the work life balance. Apr22612 Best Indie Game Development Studio 2022 This focus and a strong culture of promoting from within where possible Stuart Martin CEO explained it had “helped create a positive working environment which has led to one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry. Our team, and culture are our best reference points to attracting great new people to join us” Having recently being awarded the impressive title of Best Indie Games Development Studio 2022 in the UK Enterprise Awards the studio is extremely well positioned to roll out its own games in Pine Hearts and Cloud Jumper, continuing the studios focus on creating meaningful and affective experiences for players, telling stories with sensitivity empathy and standout aesthetics. Further to this Stuart and Rob highlighted these major games will help the studio continue to expand and attract fresh young talent and seasoned veterans alike. It is this quality, work ethic and brilliant products that will push the studio onto greater achievements. We are all excited to see where it goes next. Contact: Rob Madden and Stuart Martin Company: Hyper Luminal Games Web Address: www.hyperluminalgames.com
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