What Stainless Games does

Stainless Games is an independent game development studio founded in 1994 by Patrick Buckland and Neil Barnden on the Isle of Wight, UK. The studio develops video games for consoles, PC, mobile, and VR platforms, operating primarily as a co-development and work-for-hire partner for AAA publishers while also self-publishing select original intellectual property. Over 30 years, the company has delivered more than 60 games and 300+ SKUs, with notable franchises including Carmageddon (vehicular combat), ShockRods (vehicular arena shooter), and the Magic: The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers series developed for Wizards of the Coast.

The company's technical foundation spans multiple engines (Unreal, Unity, CRYENGINE, Lumberyard) augmented by proprietary technology: the Beelzebub CCG engine shipped across seven collectible card game titles, world-leading physics-based vehicular damage systems, best-in-class driving simulation tech, the first Magic: The Gathering AI system, a uniquely-powerful action replay system, and advanced network play systems. These capabilities support the studio's ability to handle up to eight simultaneous SKUs in up to 12 languages.

Stainless monetizes through multiple revenue streams: co-development fees from AAA publishers (Amazon Games, Apple, Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro, unnamed AAA tech giants), self-publishing of own IP via Steam, Apple Arcade, console digital stores, and physical retail, mobile free-to-play with in-app purchases (Carmageddon Crashers), and IP licensing/royalties. The Carmageddon IP was sold to THQ Nordic in December 2018. Current AAA co-development engagements include Amazon Games' March of Giants MOBA and New World: Aeternum expansion. The company employed approximately 80-90 staff as of 2024 and is led by CEO Ben Gunstone (appointed May 2025), with founder Patrick Buckland serving as Executive Chairman. Stainless received the King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2024.

Name

Stainless Games

Legal name

Stainless Games Ltd.

Website

https://stainlessgames.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Stainless Games is an independent UK game development studio founded in 1994, operating as a co-development partner for AAA publishers (Amazon Games, Apple, Wizards of the Coast) while self-publishing original IP across console, PC, mobile, and VR platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Game Development

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (713120)

akta.pro primary industry

Security, Anti-Cheat, DRM & Integrity Tools (MPAFAFAN)

Keywords

• Video game development
• AAA co-development
• Multi-platform games
• Game IP licensing
• Console game studio

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Co-development / Work-for-hire: Stainless Games supplies development services to publishers and IP holders, acting as a trusted co-development partner for AAA projects. Revenue generated through development fees on projects for Amazon Games, Apple, and others.
2. Self-publishing of own IP: Self-publishing own titles including Carmageddon franchise titles and Crystal Quest series. Revenue from digital sales and retail distribution.
3. Licensing / IP Royalties: Licensing of owned IP and technology. Carmageddon IP was sold to THQ Nordic. CCG technology licensed to major brands.
4. Free-to-Play / In-app Purchases: Mobile titles such as Carmageddon Crashers offered as free-to-play with in-app purchases.
5. Publishing Partnerships: ShockRods published via Apple Arcade (Apple) and Green Man Gaming Publishing (Steam), generating revenue share arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stainless Games is an independent video game development studio that develops and co-develops games for consoles, PC, mobile, and VR platforms. The studio self-publishes its own IP, including the Carmageddon franchise and ShockRods, while also acting as a trusted AAA co-development partner for major publishers such as Wizards of the Coast (Hasbro), Amazon Games, and Apple. It maintains proprietary technology including the Beelzebub collectible card game engine, physics-based vehicular damage systems, and driving simulation technology, and operates across Unreal Engine, Unity, CRYENGINE, and Lumberyard.

Product overview

Stainless Games is an independent game development studio founded in 1994, based on the Isle of Wight, UK. The company has developed over 60 games and 300+ SKUs across mobile, console, PC Steam, and VR platforms. Their portfolio includes original IPs (Carmageddon, ShockRods, Crystal Quest) and licensed titles (Magic: The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers series for Wizards of the Coast, Risk Factions). The company also offers co-development services for AAA partners and has developed proprietary technology including the Beelzebub CCG engine, driving simulation tech, physics-based vehicular damage systems, and advanced network play systems. Their games have generated millions of sales working with major brands including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Hasbro, Disney, EA, and Atari.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Carmageddon Original open-world vehicular combat game franchise featuring anarchic gameplay where pedestrians equal points, physics-based vehicular damage, over-the-top violence, and surreal comedy violence. The franchise spans Carmageddon (1997), Carmageddon II, Carmageddon: Reincarnation, Carmageddon: Max Damage, and Carmageddon: Crashers.
• Carmageddon: Max Damage Carmageddon franchise console and PC release featuring over 30 vehicles, 12 environments, 90+ PowerUps, and multiple event types, priced at £29.99 / $39.99 / €39.99.
• Carmageddon: Reincarnation Carmageddon franchise reboot launched as a Kickstarter campaign and Steam Early Access title, then fully released on PC via Steam.
• Carmageddon: Crashers Free-to-play mobile Carmageddon title with in-app purchases for car upgrades, visual upgrades, and sponsors.
• Magic: The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers Series Digital collectible card game series developed for Wizards of the Coast across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, iOS, and Android platforms from 2009-2016. Simplified the complex Magic card game while maintaining depth with proprietary AI opponents. Six major iterations delivered as multiple SKUs in up to 12 languages.
• ShockRods Vehicular arena shooter featuring 6v6 or 12-player free-for-all combat with customisable vehicles equipped with nitros and double-jump abilities, developed using Unreal Engine. Released on PC (Steam) and Apple Arcade with 6 environments and multiple game modes.
• Risk Factions Digital board game adaptation of Risk featuring faction-based strategy gameplay, developed for Hasbro.
• AAA Co-Development Services AAA co-development and work-for-hire service for major publishers and IP holders across mobile, console, PC, and VR platforms, supporting end-to-end game development from concept to launch with proprietary technology integrated into Unreal, Unity, CRYENGINE, and Lumberyard.

Quantifiable outcome

• Magic: The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers generated over 500,000 unit sales on Xbox Live Marketplace by January 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Amazon Games MontrealcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2025Stainless Games is a development partner on March of Giants, a free-to-play 4v4 WAR MOBA, collaborating with Amazon Games Montreal on this ambitious co-development project within the MOBA genre.
• Unnamed AAA Publisher (MMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2023Additional co-development work signed for a AAA MMO project. Further cements Stainless Games' position as a premier independent co-development studio.
• Unnamed AAA PublishercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2023New co-development project signed for a successful multi-platform AAA FPS game. Confidentiality prevents naming the project.
• Terra VirtuamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Development partnership for an action/puzzler game for PC and Mobile with a seven-figure budget, featuring Terra Virtua's exclusive VFLECT character robots. This is the inaugural project for Terra Virtua Studios.
• Liquid Fresh / Colony OnlineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2021Blockchain game development partnership for Colony Online Social MMO. Includes in-game crypto/NFT economy development and co-creation of cosmetic game items. Liquid Fresh brings 5,600+ NFT holders as initial user base.
• Unannounced Partner (Sci-Fi Franchise)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2021Development deal for an innovative Collectible Card Game based on a major sci-fi television and book franchise, Unreal-based, slated for initial release in 2022 on mobile platforms.
• Major AAA Tech GiantcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2020Multi-year deal signed to co-develop a major AAA title with a well-known tech giant using Unreal Engine. Production already underway at time of announcement.
• Major US TV NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2020New deal signed to develop a Collectible Card Game based on a well-known adult cartoon franchise for a major US TV network.
• IntellivisionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2019Game development partnership for the Intellivision Amico family-friendly console. Stainless commissioned to write a new re-imagining of a classic arcade title, with more titles planned.
• Apple (Apple Arcade)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 September 2019ShockRods was a launch title on Apple Arcade, available for iOS, tvOS, and Mac devices. Published by Apple on Apple Arcade.
• Green Man Gaming PublishingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 March 2019ShockRods published on Steam PC by Green Man Gaming Publishing. Partnership for brand new IP focused on vehicular action and mayhem, published in Fall 2019.
• TVRminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 August 2017Stainless Games contracted to design and develop dashboard and infotainment GUI software for TVR's new sports car (the Griffith, revealed at Goodwood Revival 2017). Digital dashboard and infotainment system created by the video games studio.
• Sold OutmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 March 2016Global retail partnership for Carmageddon: Max Damage, launching simultaneously on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One both digitally and at retail on June 3rd 2016.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sumo Digital: UK-based independent game developer with a similar co-development and work-for-hire model alongside self-published IP (Snake Pass, Sackboy). Directly comparable in offering multi-platform game development services to AAA publishers, though Sumo operates at meaningfully larger scale (~900+ staff) post-Keywords acquisition.
• Rebellion Developments: Oxford-based independent studio combining self-published IPs (Sniper Elite, Zombie Army) with co-development for publishers. Similar hybrid revenue model and UK independent identity to Stainless Games, with comparable vehicular combat / shooter genre heritage.
• Playground Games: UK-based studio known for Forza Horizon (driving simulation, similar genre expertise to Carmageddon/ShockRods) and Fable. Now part of Xbox Game Studios but historically a comparable UK independent co-development studio before acquisition.
• Ninja Theory: UK independent studio (Hellblade, Bleeding Edge) acquired by Xbox. Comparable as a mid-sized UK independent offering high-quality original IP and platform-port work, with similar genre breadth (action, narrative, multiplayer).
• Climax Studios: UK-based game developer specialising in co-development, porting, and original IP work for publishers. Similar size and work-for-hire-plus-self-publishing model to Stainless Games.
• Bossa Studios: London-based independent studio known for self-published original titles (Surgeon Simulator, I Am Bread, Worlds Adrift) and contracted work. Comparable UK indie profile with multi-platform output and publisher partnerships.
• Deck Nine Games: US-based independent studio known for narrative games (Life is Strange: True Colors) and co-development on AAA projects. Comparable size band, multi-platform capability, and mix of self-published IP plus publisher-driven co-development.

Broad incumbents

• Codemasters (now EA): UK racing/driving game specialist (formerly independent, now EA-owned) with deep expertise in driving simulation - directly comparable technology stack to Stainless's Carmageddon/ShockRods driving physics IP. Broader incumbent in the same genre with much larger scale.
• Keywords Studios: Irish/UK-listed global leader in game services including co-development, art services, QA, and localization. Functions as a broader incumbent that competes with Stainless for AAA co-development and porting work, but at vastly greater scale (10,000+ staff across 50+ studios).

Emerging players

• Velan Studios: US independent studio founded by Vicarious Visions / Skylanders veterans, self-publishing original IP (Knockout City, Splitgate Arena). Emerging mid-sized indie with publisher partnerships and multi-platform output comparable to Stainless's hybrid model.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Stainless_Games
• Facebookfacebook.com/StainlessGames

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stainless Games