VR enthusiasts, get ready for some exciting news! Two veteran developers who worked on the hit VR game Human: Fall Flat are launching a new independent studio called Pretty Cool Games in the UK. This fresh start has already secured financing from Coreblazer, the investment arm of Singapore-based video game studio Hypergryph, making it the company’s first UK investment.
Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, the masterminds behind Pretty Cool Games, are no strangers to the gaming industry. Shefta comes with an impressive resume, having worked on titles such as LittleBigPlanet 3, Dead Island 2, and Disney Infinity, while Dudley has experience working on both triple-A and indie games, including Human: Fall Flat and Transformers. As CEO and chief creative officer respectively, they’re set to build a “small but mighty team” that will bring their vision to life.
But what’s really cool (pun intended) is that Pretty Cool Games has already started working on its debut project, a double-A physics-based experience focused on player expression. According to Shefta, the studio will approach production with a “gameplay-first” mentality, where they’ll quickly prototype an idea and see how it feels in the player’s hands before iterating. This approach is music to our ears, as it prioritizes creativity and player freedom – exactly what we love about VR gaming.
The fact that Pretty Cool Games has secured financing from Hypergryph means that this new studio has a solid foundation to build on. Clare Yang, head of investment at Hypergryph, had this to say: “From the earliest prototypes, we could already feel the creativity and potential of this team.” It’s clear that she believes in Shefta and Dudley’s vision, and with Coreblazer’s backing, Pretty Cool Games is set to make some waves in the gaming industry.
As a VR enthusiast, you might be wondering what this means for the future of immersive gaming. Well, it looks like we’re in for a treat! With Pretty Cool Games on board, we can expect more innovative and creative experiences that put player expression front and center. Shefta’s emphasis on gameplay-first development is a breath of fresh air, and with Hypergryph’s investment, this studio has the perfect recipe for success.
So, keep an eye out for Pretty Cool Games’ debut project – it’s going to be big. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see them bring their unique brand of VR magic to the world of immersive gaming. One thing is certain: with Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley at the helm, this new studio is off to a pretty cool start indeed!
Source: Game Developer XR — 2026-08-19