Stillalive Studios
Stillalive Studios is an Innsbruck-based Austrian game developer building simulation, management, and action titles (Bus Simulator franchise, Garden Life, Rescue HQ) on Unreal Engine and Unity 3D, published through astragon, Nacon, Aerosoft, and Saber Interactive across PC, console, and mobile.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersInnsbruck, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Stillalive Studios does
Stillalive Studios GmbH is a privately held Austrian video game developer founded in 2010 and headquartered in Innsbruck, operating as part of the RCP Family conglomerate. The studio develops simulation, strategy, management, and action games using Unreal Engine 4/5 and Unity 3D, with a portfolio anchored by the multi-platform Bus Simulator franchise (Bus Simulator 16, 18, 21, City Ride, and the upcoming Bus Bound). Its broader catalog includes management/tycoon titles (Rescue HQ, Grand Casino Tycoon), tactical action (Drone Swarm, Son of Nor), and the cozy gardening sandbox Garden Life (2024), the studio's first Unreal Engine 5 release. A parallel SAS Lab Projects R&D division is incubating experimental titles (Lionheart, Crew vs Aliens, SolarWars, MicroTesla, Infinirail).
The studio's business model is work-for-hire and co-development with established publishers—astragon entertainment (Bus Simulator), Aerosoft (Rescue HQ, Grand Casino Tycoon), Nacon (Garden Life), and Saber Interactive (Bus Bound)—generating revenue through one-time game sales and franchise licensing/royalties distributed via Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo Switch eShop, and mobile app stores. Technical differentiation rests on proprietary simulation systems including 32,000-drone swarm intelligence, real-time terrain terraforming, procedural plant growth, traffic/pedestrian AI, and fluid dynamics, supported by a 65+ international remote-friendly team with alumni from Ubisoft, EA, and Rockstar Games. Customers are end-consumer gamers in the simulation, casual, and management segments; distribution is concentrated among a small set of publisher partners, which represents the principal commercial dependency.
Stillalive Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stillalive Studios
- Legal name
- stillalive studios GmbH
- Website
- https://stillalive.games
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Stillalive Studios is an Innsbruck-based Austrian game developer building simulation, management, and action titles (Bus Simulator franchise, Garden Life, Rescue HQ) on Unreal Engine and Unity 3D, published through astragon, Nacon, Aerosoft, and Saber Interactive across PC, console, and mobile.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stillalive Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (512199)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK), Co-Development, Porting & Remaster Studios (MPAFAAAM)
Keywords
Where Stillalive Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Innsbruck
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Stillalive Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Game Sales: The company develops and sells video games across PC and console platforms. Revenue comes from direct game sales through digital storefronts like Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo Switch eShop, and mobile app stores. Games are published through partnerships with established publishers.
- Franchise Licensing (Bus Simulator): Stillalive Studios works on established franchises like the Bus Simulator series for publishers. The company creates games under existing IP agreements, contributing to ongoing franchise development across multiple titles.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Stillalive Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stillalive Studios is a video game development studio that designs, programs, and ships simulation, tycoon, action, and cozy-genre video games across PC, console, and mobile platforms. The studio operates a mix of self-published titles (Drone Swarm, Garden Life, Rescue HQ) and franchise work for external publishers, most notably the Bus Simulator series developed with astragon entertainment.
Product overview
Stillalive Studios is a video game development studio that creates and publishes its own game titles as well as develops established franchises. Their portfolio includes the core Bus Simulator series (Bus Simulator 16, 18, 21, City Ride, and the upcoming Bus Bound), management/simulation games (Rescue HQ, Grand Casino Tycoon), action-adventure titles (Son of Nor, Drone Swarm), and the cozy gardening game Garden Life. Additionally, they maintain an R&D division (SAS Lab Projects) developing experimental titles including Lionheart, Crew vs Aliens, SolarWars, MicroTesla, and Infinirail. The company develops games using Unreal Engine (4 and 5) and Unity 3D, with releases across PC (Steam), console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), and mobile (Android, iOS) platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SAS Lab Projects: Research & development projects including Lionheart, Crew vs Aliens, SolarWars, MicroTesla, and Infinirail
Products and services
- Bus Simulator 16 City bus driving simulation featuring 13 realistic licensed buses from Mercedes-Benz and MAN, with route planning, company management, and multiplayer modes. Targets simulation enthusiasts on PC.
- Son of Nor Third-person action-adventure with telekinesis, terraforming, and elemental magic mechanics, featuring four-player online co-op and two-player local splitscreen co-op. Targets PC players interested in action-adventure titles.
- Bus Simulator 18 Open world bus simulation featuring 8 licensed buses from 4 manufacturers, real-time multiplayer mode, 12 districts, and comprehensive management elements. Targets simulation gamers on PC and console.
- Rescue HQ Emergency services tycoon game for managing a joint station for firefighters, police, and ambulance, with resource management and modding. Targets PC and console players who enjoy management tycoon gameplay.
- Drone Swarm Tactical action game controlling 32,000 individually simulated drones with swarm intelligence in real-time combat against three alien factions. Targets PC players interested in tactical and sci-fi combat experiences.
- Grand Casino Tycoon Tycoon game combining puzzle and casino management with guest routines, VIP systems, and strategy choices. Includes F# scripting for mods. Targets PC players who enjoy management and puzzle gameplay.
- Bus Simulator 21 Open world bus simulation with 30 licensed buses including double-decker and electric buses, two environments (USA and Europe), cooperative multiplayer, dynamic weather, and day-night cycle. Targets simulation gamers on PC and console.
- Bus Simulator City Ride Bus simulation game for Nintendo Switch and mobile featuring 10 licensed buses, an open world city, route management, bus fleet management, and a story campaign. Targets simulation gamers on Switch, Android, and iOS.
- Garden Life Cozy gardening sandbox with procedural plant growth simulation featuring real-world flowers, shrubs, fruits, and vegetables, built with Unreal Engine 5. Targets PC and console players who enjoy relaxing creative gameplay.
Companies that use Stillalive Studios
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Stillalive Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
Stillalive Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RCP FamilycoreStillalive Studios GmbH is part of the RCP Family of companies. The company operates as a subsidiary within this corporate family structure.
- astragon entertainmentcorePublisher for Bus Simulator 16 and Bus Simulator series franchise. astragon entertainment handles publishing and distribution for the Bus Simulator franchise.
- Viva MediaminorPublisher for Son of Nor action-adventure game.
- AerosoftcorePublisher for Rescue HQ and Grand Casino Tycoon games. Handles distribution for these simulation and tycoon titles.
- NaconcorePublisher for Garden Life, a cozy gardening sandbox game released in February 2024.
- Saber InteractivecorePublisher for Bus Bound, an upcoming driving-focused bus simulation game scheduled for release.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Stillalive Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SCS Software: Prague-based developer of Euro Truck Simulator and American Truck Simulator, the leading vehicle simulation franchises on PC and console. Directly comparable as a mid-sized European studio specializing in licensed commercial-vehicle simulation across multiple titles and platforms.
- Dovetail Games: UK-based developer of Train Sim World, Fishing Sim World, and other transport/lifestyle simulation titles. Closely comparable niche focus on realistic licensed-vehicle simulation for enthusiast PC and console audiences.
- Giants Software: Swiss developer of Farming Simulator, the dominant agricultural/lifestyle simulation franchise. Comparable in size, European origin, vehicle/equipment simulation focus, and multi-platform release cadence.
- TML Studios: German developer of Fernbus Simulator (Intercity Bus Simulator), a direct competitor in the European bus simulation niche. Similar scope, scale, and target audience to Stillalive's Bus Simulator line.
- Kunos Simulazioni: Italian developer of Assetto Corsa, a leading driving simulation franchise. Comparable as a European mid-sized studio specializing in high-fidelity vehicle simulation with multi-platform reach.
Others
- Saber Interactive: Major publisher and developer of simulation and mid-core games (Bus Bound, World War Z, SnowRunner). Comparable as a simulation publishing partner and as an adjacent mid-tier publisher working in the same genre.
- Aerosoft: German publisher and developer specializing in simulation games (Rescue HQ, Grand Casino Tycoon via Stillalive; also publishes Bus Simulator titles, Fernbus, and Train Simulator content). Comparable as a simulation ecosystem participant and a direct publishing partner of Stillalive.
- astragon entertainment: German publisher and developer of simulation games, including the Bus Simulator franchise published on behalf of Stillalive. Comparable as a simulation publishing partner and developer of overlapping transport/construction simulation IP.
Emerging players
- Reiza Studios: Brazilian developer of high-fidelity simulation titles including Sky Jet Buster and the AMS2 racing simulation line. Comparable as a mid-sized independent studio building depth in simulation technology.
- Halycon Media: German publisher/developer of simulation titles such as Trainz and emergency-services management games. Directly comparable niche focus on transport/emergency simulation, smaller scale than Stillalive.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stillalive Studios social profiles
Digital presenceStillalive Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stillalive Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Stillalive Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stillalive Studios 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 Stillalive Studios
What does Stillalive Studios do?
Stillalive Studios is a video game development studio that designs, programs, and ships simulation, tycoon, action, and cozy-genre video games across PC, console, and mobile platforms. The studio operates a mix of self-published titles (Drone Swarm, Garden Life, Rescue HQ) and franchise work for external publishers, most notably the Bus Simulator series developed with astragon entertainment.
Is Stillalive Studios a public or private company?
Stillalive Studios is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Stillalive Studios founded?
Stillalive Studios was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Stillalive Studios based?
Stillalive Studios is headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Stillalive Studios make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are franchise Licensing (Bus Simulator).
Who are Stillalive Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SCS Software, Dovetail Games, Giants Software, TML Studios and Kunos Simulazioni. Others are Saber Interactive, Aerosoft and astragon entertainment. Emerging players are Reiza Studios and Halycon Media.
Does Stillalive Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stillalive Studios.
What industry is Stillalive Studios in?
Stillalive Studios's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAH, Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise), with a secondary code of MPAFAAAK, Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7812.