Ustwo Games
Ustwo Games is a London-based independent game studio and the world's first B-Corp certified games company, creating premium puzzle and narrative titles including the Monument Valley franchise for mobile, PC, console, and subscription platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Ustwo Games does
Ustwo Games is a London-based independent game studio and the world's first B-Corp certified games company, operating as a standalone entity since August 2022 after demerging from its parent design studio ustwo. The studio specializes in premium, values-driven puzzle and narrative games, with its flagship Monument Valley franchise — built around impossible geometric architecture and optical illusion puzzles — spanning three titles across mobile, PC, and console since 2014. Its portfolio also includes Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (an environmental conservation game tied to real-world tree-planting initiatives), Desta: The Memories Between (a tactical roguelike), Assemble With Care (a meditative restoration game), and Land's End (a VR experience).
Technically, the studio builds on the Unity game engine with proprietary tooling including simplex-noise-based vertex displacement shaders for painterly aesthetics, a procedural terrain editor with biome asset generation systems, and automated playthrough test runners that verify level completion at accelerated speeds. Games are distributed across a broad platform footprint — Apple App Store, Google Play, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple Arcade, Netflix Games, and physical releases via iam8bit — supporting a hybrid revenue model of premium one-time purchases ($4.99–$5.99 mobile tier), platform subscription revenue sharing (notably through Netflix Games and Apple Arcade), and physical merchandise.
The studio serves end consumers directly through app stores and storefronts, while maintaining distribution partnerships with Netflix Games and Apple Arcade as key channel partners. Its commercial model is anchored by the Monument Valley franchise, which generated substantial brand equity over a decade, complemented by mission-aligned titles that integrate social impact (1 million+ trees planted through Alba, 3% of Desta profits donated to UK Youth, 3% of Monument Valley 3 profits committed to IFRC flood relief). The company employs 11–50 staff in Oval, South London, with active hiring through internship programmes and a partnership with talent recruiter Studiotypes.
Ustwo Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ustwo Games
- Legal name
- ustwo games
- Website
- https://ustwogames.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ustwo Games is a London-based independent game studio and the world's first B-Corp certified games company, creating premium puzzle and narrative titles including the Monument Valley franchise for mobile, PC, console, and subscription platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Ustwo Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ustwo Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Premium Game Sales: One-time purchase model for mobile and PC/console games including Monument Valley series, Alba, Desta, and Assemble With Care. Games priced at premium tier ($4.99-$5.99 mobile, higher for PC/console)
- Platform Partnerships: Distribution through Netflix Games (Monument Valley 3, Desta), Apple Arcade (Alba, Assemble With Care), requiring platform subscriptions or revenue sharing arrangements
- Physical Merchandise: Physical game collections through partnerships with iam8bit for PS5 and Switch physical releases
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard game pricing for Monument Valley series |
| Subscription | Monthly | Netflix Games access |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels9 records
Ustwo Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ustwo Games is an independent game studio that develops and sells premium puzzle and adventure video games across mobile, PC, and console platforms. The studio's portfolio centers on the Monument Valley series (Monument Valley, Monument Valley II, Monument Valley 3) featuring impossible geometry puzzles, complemented by original titles including Assemble With Care, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Desta: The Memories Between, and Land's End. Games are distributed as one-time premium purchases or via subscription platforms such as Netflix Games and Apple Arcade.
Product overview
Ustwo Games is the world's first B-Corp certified game studio, creating award-winning, original art and storytelling in the form of mobile, PC, and console games. The studio's portfolio centers on the critically acclaimed Monument Valley series (Monument Valley, Monument Valley II, and Monument Valley 3), featuring impossible geometry and optical illusion puzzles. Complementing this flagship series are original titles including Assemble With Care (a meditative tactile restoration game), Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (a nature exploration game with environmental impact), Desta: The Memories Between (a tactical dodgeball adventure), and Land's End (a VR exploration experience). All games are values-driven, designed to inspire positive change and social impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Monument Valley: Award-winning puzzle game series featuring impossible geometry and optical illusions
- Monument Valley 2
- Monument Valley 3
- Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
- Assemble With Care
- Desta: The Memories Between
Products and services
- Monument Valley Award-winning puzzle game where players guide the silent princess Ida through mysterious monuments, uncovering hidden paths, unfolding optical illusions, and outwitting the enigmatic Crow People in an impossible geometric world. Available on iOS, Android, and PC platforms.
- Monument Valley II Sequel to Monument Valley presenting a new adventure where players guide a mother and her child through magical architecture, discovering illusionary pathways and delightful puzzles while learning the secrets of Sacred Geometry.
- Monument Valley 3 Latest installment in the award-winning series where apprentice Noor discovers the world's light is fading and must rise to find a new source of power before darkness overtakes everything. Features open-world sailing mechanics and mind-bending optical illusion puzzles across mobile, PC, and console platforms.
- Assemble With Care Meditative tactile game where Maria, a globe-trotting antique restorer, helps townsfolk of Bellariva save their most beloved possessions and reconnect through repairing objects with sentimental value.
- Alba: A Wildlife Adventure Sunny open-world exploration game where Alba visits her grandparents on a Mediterranean island and, with her friend Ines, forms the AIWRL (Animal Island Wildlife Rescue League) to save animals in danger and help the local community.
- Desta: The Memories Between Surreal tactical dodgeball adventure where players fall into a dreamworld with Desta, finding friends, unlocking spectacular abilities, and overcoming odds in turn-based encounters to uncover the mysteries of a broken world. Features a Nightmare Mode for hardcore roguelike challenges.
- Land's End VR adventure game where players explore a world by gliding from point to point, solving puzzles and levitating giant blocks of stone through gaze-only interactions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Planted 1 million trees through Alba: A Wildlife Adventure sales
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ustwo Games
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ustwo Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Ustwo Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- iam8bitminorPartnership for physical game releases. iam8bit released a physical trilogy collection for Monument Valley series on PS5 and Nintendo Switch on October 30, 2025.
- IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)coreMonument Valley 3 partnership for global flood relief efforts. Ustwo Games donates 3% of Monument Valley 3 profits to support IFRC's vital relief efforts worldwide.
- Into GamescorePartnership for diversity and inclusion in the games industry. Provides Champions Training for employees (empathetic conversations, public speaking, diversity workshops, mentorship) and supports internship initiatives and Waypoints programme for South London youth.
- Women in GamescoreCorporate Ambassador programme member. Committed to building a fairer, gender equal playing field for women in the industry. Participated in Women in Games Careers & Networking Expo.
- Safe In Our WorldcoreMental health awareness partnership. Purchased Sidekick video games journal for employees focused on mental health in the gaming community.
- UKIEcoreRaise the Game pledge partner with employees involved as board members and members of UKIE's EDI Steering Group.
- StudiotypesminorTalent partner helping scale growing teams with diverse talent. Shares Ustwo Games' values on diversity and inclusion. Recruited 13 new hires in 2023.
- Super CriticalcoreCarbon accounting partner working with Ustwo Games to understand carbon footprint, including Scope 3 emissions. Responsible for verifying and retiring 116 tonnes of tree-based carbon removal and 13 tonnes of biochar-based carbon removal.
- EcologicorePlatform partnership for tree planting initiatives. Ecologi serves as the platform through which trees are planted for Alba's Forest reforestation projects, enabling tracking of 1 million trees planted milestone.
- Eden Reforestation ProjectscoreNon-profit reforestation partner at Sapling Level Corporate Partner status. Manages tree planting projects in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Nicaragua for Alba's Forest initiative.
- PID GamesminorPublishing partner for Alba: A Wildlife Adventure that helped fund tree planting project contributions.
- Apple ArcadecorePlatform partnership for distribution of Alba: A Wildlife Adventure and Assemble With Care through Apple Arcade subscription service.
- UK YouthcoreCharity partnership established end of 2022. Ustwo Games donates 3% of Desta: The Memories Between profits and provides in-kind support, including community fundraising for youth sector organizations.
- Netflix GamescorePlatform partnership for exclusive mobile distribution of Monument Valley 3 and Desta: The Memories Between through Netflix subscription.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ustwo Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- thatgamecompany: thatgamecompany creates premium, emotionally resonant games like Journey and Sky: Children of the Light with an artistic, meditative philosophy closely aligned to Ustwo's Monument Valley aesthetic; both studios focus on accessible, design-forward experiences that prioritize emotional impact over aggressive monetization.
- Simogo: Simogo is a small Swedish studio behind Year Walk, Device 6, and Sayonara Wild Hearts — premium mobile puzzle and adventure games with distinctive artistic direction; directly comparable to Ustwo as a small premium mobile-first studio focused on artistic single-player experiences.
- Mountains (studio): Mountains developed Florence and Old Man's Journey, premium narrative mobile games with strong artistic identity and emotional storytelling; closely comparable to Ustwo's Monument Valley and Assemble With Care in target audience, price point, and design philosophy.
- Playdead: Playdead created Limbo and INSIDE, critically acclaimed premium puzzle-platformers on mobile, PC, and console; comparable to Ustwo as a small, design-led studio with cross-platform premium releases and a reputation for atmospheric, artistic gameplay.
- Supergiant Games: Supergiant Games creates Bastion, Transistor, Hades, and Pyre — premium games with strong artistic identity, mythological narratives, and cross-platform releases; comparable to Ustwo as a small-to-mid studio with consistent critical acclaim and design-driven product philosophy.
- Hello Games: Hello Games is the small studio behind No Man's Sky, known for ambitious single-IP development, long development cycles, and post-launch content expansion; comparable to Ustwo in scale, single-franchise focus, and small-team approach to premium gaming.
Broad incumbents
- Annapurna Interactive: Annapurna Interactive is a publisher specializing in artistic, narrative-driven indie games including What Remains of Edith Finch and Stray; relevant as both a potential publishing/distribution partner and as a broader incumbent that has shaped the premium artistic game market alongside studios like Ustwo.
- Media Molecule: Media Molecule (a Sony studio) created LittleBigPlanet and Dreams, premium creative/UGC game platforms emphasizing artistic expression and community creation; relevant as a broader incumbent in the artistic, design-forward gaming space with cross-platform premium positioning.
- Devolver Digital: Devolver Digital publishes and distributes premium indie games including Hotline Miami, Fall Guys, and Cult of the Lamb; relevant as a publisher and broader incumbent in the premium indie game space where Ustwo also operates with cross-platform distribution.
Emerging players
- Team Cherry: Team Cherry is a small Australian studio behind Hollow Knight and its sequel Silksong, premium indie action-adventure games with strong artistic identity; comparable as a small premium indie studio with a flagship franchise and cross-platform ambitions similar to Ustwo's Monument Valley series.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ustwo Games social profiles
Digital presenceUstwo Games compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Ustwo Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ustwo Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Ustwo Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ustwo Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ustwo Games
What does Ustwo Games do?
Ustwo Games is an independent game studio that develops and sells premium puzzle and adventure video games across mobile, PC, and console platforms. The studio's portfolio centers on the Monument Valley series (Monument Valley, Monument Valley II, Monument Valley 3) featuring impossible geometry puzzles, complemented by original titles including Assemble With Care, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Desta: The Memories Between, and Land's End. Games are distributed as one-time premium purchases or via subscription platforms such as Netflix Games and Apple Arcade.
Is Ustwo Games a public or private company?
Ustwo Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ustwo Games founded?
Ustwo Games was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ustwo Games based?
Ustwo Games is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ustwo Games make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Premium Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are platform Partnerships and physical Merchandise.
Who are Ustwo Games's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are thatgamecompany, Simogo, Mountains (studio), Playdead, Supergiant Games and Hello Games. Broad incumbents are Annapurna Interactive, Media Molecule and Devolver Digital. Team Cherry is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ustwo Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ustwo Games.