Lightmare Studios

What Lightmare Studios does

Lightmare Studios Pty Ltd is an Australian private game studio and social enterprise headquartered in Brisbane, founded in 2007-2008. The company operates a dual-vertical model: (1) it develops and publishes original strategy games using proprietary IP, including the Infinity Universe franchise — Infinity Wars Classic (a remastered animated trading card game with simultaneous turn-based PvP mechanics, distributed free-to-play on Steam), Infinity Heroes (a cross-platform tactical card game currently in Open Beta on PC and Closed Alpha on Mobile), and OMNI - MOBA Evolved (a legacy Philippines-distributed MOBA); and (2) it runs NDIS-eligible social gaming programs in Australia, delivering structured online guided-gaming, digital art, Dungeons & Dragons, and Vibe Coding sessions to 3,000+ neurodivergent participants (autism, ADHD, anxiety, aged 6-60) since 2008, with a 90%+ retention rate and small group sizes of 4-6 participants.

The underlying technology centers on game-engine and design work rather than AI or platform infrastructure; Infinity Wars was the first fully animated digital card game with novel simultaneous-turn mechanics, attracting 500,000+ players across 84 countries. The social-gaming side operates on manual facilitation by industry veterans, allied-health professionals, and individuals with lived experience of neurodiversity, supplemented by NDIS-compliant progress reporting for support coordinators. The company has won multiple awards including 2015 GDC Best in Play (for Infinity Wars) and 2014 IMS Learning Impact Silver Award, and is a 2024 finalist for both the One Community Awards and Australian Disability Service Awards.

Revenue mechanics span four streams: NDIS-funded recurring service agreements for social gaming programs; a $2,495 fee-for-service Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies (ICT20120) delivered via Training Professionals (RTO 31955); school-based incursions and work experience blocks; and freemium monetization on Steam-based game distribution. Distribution is direct-to-consumer for NDIS, channel-partnered for education, and marketplace-based (Steam) for games. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, operates with 51-100 employees, and markets through Discord communities, social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Twitch), support-coordinator referrals, parent word-of-mouth, and B1G1 impact partnerships.

Name

Lightmare Studios

Legal name

Lightmare Studios Pty Ltd

Website

https://lightmare.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lightmare Studios is an Australian independent game studio and social enterprise developing strategy games (Infinity Wars, Infinity Heroes, OMNI) while running NDIS-eligible social gaming programs for neurodivergent individuals across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategy Card Games

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)

Keywords

• Indie game development
• Trading card games
• Social gaming programs
• NDIS support services
• Digital strategy games

Headquarters

HQ city

Strathmore

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. NDIS-Funded Social Gaming Programs: Structured guided gaming, digital art, D&D, and Vibe Coding sessions for neurodivergent individuals funded through NDIS participant plans. Revenue generated through service agreements with participants and support coordinators.
2. Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies: Nationally recognised qualification ($2,495 fee-for-service) delivered in partnership with Training Professionals (RTO 31955). Industry immersion by Lightmare Studios over 26 weeks (approx. 3 hours/week).
3. Infinity Wars Free-to-Play Game: Free-to-play digital trading card game on Steam with optional in-game purchases. Players can compete without spending or unlock content faster through purchases. Over 500,000 global players.
4. Infinity Heroes Game: Cross-platform tactical card game currently in Open Beta (PC) and Closed Alpha (Mobile). Part of the Infinity Universe with community-driven design elements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Lightmare Studios is an Australian indie game studio that develops and publishes proprietary strategy games (Infinity Wars Classic, Infinity Heroes, OMNI – MOBA Evolved) distributed globally via Steam under a freemium model. Alongside its games business, the company operates an NDIS-eligible social gaming program delivering structured online guided gaming, digital art, Dungeons & Dragons, and Vibe Coding sessions to neurodivergent participants in Australia, plus a Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies qualification delivered through Training Professionals (RTO 31955).

Product overview

Lightmare Studios operates as both a game studio and social enterprise. The company develops strategy games across multiple genres including TCGs (Infinity Wars Classic), tactical card games (Infinity Heroes), and MOBAs (OMNI - MOBA Evolved), while simultaneously running NDIS-eligible social gaming programs that include guided gaming sessions, digital art, Dungeons & Dragons, and Vibe Coding. Educational offerings include Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies and work experience blocks for students. All programs are designed to support neurodivergent gamers and build social connection, confidence, and communication skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Infinity Wars: Original animated trading card game (TCG) with simultaneous turn-based gameplay, featuring 500,000+ players globally.
• Infinity Heroes
• Infinity Wars Classic
• OMNI-MOBA Evolved
• Infinity Wars Sanctuary Social

Products and services

• Infinity Wars Classic The original fully animated digital trading card game featuring simultaneous turn-based PvP combat, 8+ factions, fully animated cards, and a free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases. Distributed globally via Steam.
• Infinity Heroes A next-generation tactical card game combining real-time strategy, simultaneous turn-based PvP, deckbuilding, and an evolving roguelike campaign with community-driven design. Cross-platform play in development.
• OMNI - MOBA Evolved Lightmare's take on the MOBA genre, featuring over-the-shoulder perspective and fast-paced multiplayer action. First full studio release that pioneered original characters later featured in the Infinity Universe.
• Social Gaming Program (NDIS-Eligible) Guided online gaming, digital art, Dungeons & Dragons, and Vibe Coding sessions for neurodivergent gamers of all ages. NDIS-eligible program with small groups (4-6 participants), 90% satisfaction rate, and 3,000+ participants supported since 2008. Funded through NDIS participant plans.
• Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies (ICT20120) Nationally recognised qualification delivered by Training Professionals (RTO 31955) with industry immersion by Lightmare Studios. Approximately 3 hours per week over 26 weeks, covering IT, game design, digital art, animation, and creative tech. $2,495 fee-for-service.
• Work Experience Blocks Three-day work experience program (10:00 am to 2:30 pm VIC time) featuring sessions on World Building & Narrative, Digital Art/Asset Creation, and Game Design delivered by Lightmare's development team. Available as school-based incursion or home-based model.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ retention rate - participants stay long-term
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• B1G1 - Business for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021B1G1 is a global platform that allows businesses to embed impact into everyday actions. Since October 2021, every game played, program run, event attended, or email sent by Lightmare triggers a giving action for those in need, including children's education, tree planting, and clean drinking water initiatives.
• LevelUp! GamescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2010LevelUp! Games was Lightmare's publishing partner for OMNI MOBA in the Philippines. OMNI was launched in 2010 through a nationwide rollout across more than 100 internet cafes and PC bangs in the Philippines, finding a dedicated player base.
• Training Professionals (RTO 31955)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining Professionals delivers the Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies (ICT20120) qualification. Lightmare Studios provides industry immersion through deep dives with the development team. Students can enrol directly through Training Professionals after expressing interest via Lightmare.
• The Gordon (Geelong)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Gordon (Geelong) partnered with Lightmare Studios and InkLab to develop the Interactive Design Program, which won a Silver Award at the 2014 Global IMS Learning Impact Awards in New Orleans.
• InkLabminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInkLab collaborated with Lightmare Studios and The Gordon (Geelong) on the Interactive Design Program, which won a Silver Award at the 2014 Global IMS Learning Impact Awards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Resolution Games: Stockholm-based indie studio focused on digital card/board games (Demeo, Age of Empires: Tabletop, Settlers of Catan VR). Comparable to Lightmare as a multi-platform digital strategy/card specialist targeting community-driven play.
• Hipster Whale: Brisbane-based indie studio behind Crossy Road and Disney Crossy Road. Geographic and scale peer to Lightmare as a co-located Australian veteran indie with sustained mobile/casual IP hits.
• MegaCrit: Small US indie studio behind Slay the Spire, a card-based roguelike that pioneered non-pay-to-win indie card gaming. Highly comparable to Infinity Wars in genre, scale, freemium-to-premium monetisation philosophy, and community-driven design ethos.
• Halfbrick Studios: Brisbane-based veteran indie studio (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride). Comparable as a flagship Australian indie with 50-100+ employee scale, long operating history, proprietary IP, and cross-platform publishing experience.
• Defiant Development: Australian indie studio behind Hand of Fate and other titles, Brisbane origins. Comparable as a Queensland-based indie game studio with proprietary IP and small-team live-ops experience.
• League of Geeks: Melbourne-based indie studio behind Armello, a digital strategy/adventure board game. Same Australian indie-studio footprint and same card/strategy genre adjacency as Lightmare's Infinity Wars and Infinity Heroes.
• Handelabra Games: Indie studio digitising board and card games (Sentinels of the Multiverse, One Deck Dungeon). Comparable to Lightmare in digital tabletop/card-game specialisation, multi-platform deployment, and small-team product cadence.
• Dire Wolf Digital: Denver-based indie studio best known for digital card games (Eternal Card Game, Pokémon TCG Live). Directly comparable to Lightmare as a small-to-mid studio building and operating digital TCGs with collectible progression, community content, and esports-adjacent features.

Others

• AbleGamers Foundation: US non-profit advancing disability inclusion in gaming through player support, developer guidance, and accessibility advocacy. Comparable in mission to Lightmare's neurodivergent support services but serves a different geography and funding model.
• SpecialEffect: UK charity that helps people with disabilities play video games through equipment, software, and accessibility research. Thematically comparable to Lightmare's NDIS social-gaming programs in mission but operates as a non-profit rather than a commercial provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/lightmarestudios
• Facebookfacebook.com/LightmareStudios
• Xx.com/LightmareStudi1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Lightmare Studios