Lab42 in Leamington Spa and has some of the most legendary franchises under its belt, but what goes on behind closed doors at this mighty studio?
From its beginnings in 2015, to being acquired by Sumo Digital in 2020 and continuing its work on iconic games, here are five things you need to know about the powerhouse that is Lab42.
Lab42 works on huge games
Lab42 doesn’t just talk the talk, they’re responsible for bringing some of the world’s favourite franchises to life. Just some of the renowned IPs they’ve had a hand in include: Sonic, Yakuza, Alien Isolation, Football Manager, Star Wars, Call of Duty and – most recently – Crusader Kings III. This mix of genres and platforms give Lab42 the opportunity to showcase their breadth of skills and experience.
A team for everyone
The Lab42 team is very proudly made up of graduates, mid-level and industry heavyweights – all of whom bring a wealth of various experiences and knowledge to their roles and the wider team. Some of the Lab42 team have been in the industry since the games industry began in the 80s, with some of the team having worked on games that are almost 40 years old!
The rule of Free Food Fridays
In the earliest days of Lab42, the team began to host Free Food Fridays whenever payday landed on a Friday. This gave the whole studio a chance to get together, order delicious takeaway and catch up with their colleagues outside of work. This tradition is still going strong eight years later, with Studio Director Ed Blincoe responsible for sorting the bill afterwards…
Around the World in 80 team members
As well as a mix of experiences and skills, Lab42 is also home to team members from countries around the world. Creating a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment for all is crucial to Studio Engagement Manager Kirsty Kirby and her team, ensuring everyone finds a safe and comfortable home both at the studio, and when flexibly working from home. This environment has led to individuals from 13 different countries finding their workplace home with the Lab42 team, and the studio continues to go above and beyond to support their relocation to the UK.
Passionate about investing in the next generation
Lab42 is signed up to Ukie’s #RaiseTheGame scheme as it looks to invest in the next generation of game development and help shape the future look of the industry. The scheme is a collaborative and high-impact pledge to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the games industry – creating cultures where everyone belongs, voices and heard and ideas can thrive. In the studio, the team are proud to offer a mentorship programme for its newest recruits to be paired with senior industry talent to learn the ropes of a role and undergo training.
If Lab42 sounds like the place for your next role, you can check out all the current opportunities on the Careers Page.