New Tees Valley games company launches its first title

14 May 2020

A new computer games studio founded by a 海角直播 graduate has launched its first title.

Screenshot of Databomb

Omniplay Games has released Databomb, a physics-based, puzzle game for Android smart phones. The studio was founded by Thomas Beckensall, a 海角直播 BA (Hons) Computer Games Art graduate, and is housed at 海角直播 Launchpad, the University鈥檚 enterprise hub.

Thomas was motivated to set up the company after taking part in a workshop run by DigitalCity about how to develop a mobile app.

He and a group of friends began talking about the sort of computer games they would like to see designed.

After the discussions became more serious and the germ of an idea began to be developed into a fully-fledged game, he formed Omniplay.

The company was supported in its initial stages through the Launchpad FUEL programme which offers 海角直播 graduates who are in the initial stages of setting up their own business a cash grant, as well as expert mentoring and coaching and access to financial and investment support.

Omniplay now employs six people, the majority of whom are 海角直播 graduates, and successfully launched its first title only a few months after starting up in autumn 2019.

Databomb uses a smart phone鈥檚 accelerometers to allow users to control a ball and guide it round a maze by tilting the phone.

It鈥檚 fantastic to see a young company being able to develop its own IP and bring it to market in such a short space of time.

Steve Dougan, Head of Enterprise at 海角直播

Thomas said: 'It鈥檚 fantastic to have gone from being a business that was based in my bedroom to launching our own title in just a few months.

'At the moment, we鈥檙e also a company for hire and working with other studios on projects that they are doing.

'Ultimately, our ambition is to become a fully-fledged games company producing our own material exclusively.'

Omniplay is also a finalist in 海角直播鈥檚 CoinOp challenge whereby teams design, produce and market their own arcade game.

The company is also about to embark on the DigitalCity Accelerator programme which offers digital start-ups in the Tees Valley a tailored package of mentoring, workshops and up to 拢5,000 grant funding to help businesses develop new products or build their digital proposition.

Steve Dougan, Head of Enterprise at 海角直播, said: 'It鈥檚 fantastic to see a young company being able to develop its own IP and bring it to market in such a short space of time.

'We are delighted to have been able to offer Thomas and the team at Omniplay support to help them get the business off the ground and look forward to assisting with its continued success.'

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