Skyhook Games
Elevator studios provides perfect home for gaming house Skyhook Games
About Skyhook Games
Formed in 2014 by two veteran artists – David Harper and Jonathan Greenwell – Skyhook Games provides video game artwork for a range of global clients. Specialising in the creation of realistic environments, props and vehicles, as well as providing technical support for other studios to complete games.
In the last year, the gaming studio has grown its headcount to 23 and taken 2,500 sq ft of space at Elevator Studios, where it was originally set up with just four staff members. Expanding into its own titles, Skyhook Games released Lawn Mowing Simulator last summer, enjoying success on PC, Xbox Series S and X (with it being part of Microsoft’s Games Pass subscription), and now PlayStation too.
Benefits of being born in the Liverpool City Region (LCR)
With neither of the two founders originating in Liverpool, they chose to launch Skyhook Games in Liverpool City Region due to the emergence of the sector. Now – with the gaming industry ecosystem well established in the City Region – there is easy access to tailored office space and a highly-skilled digital talent pool from relevant university courses that were not around in previous years.
Reflecting on recruiting and retaining the best talent, Finance and Operations Director at Skyhook Games Graham Chellew said: “In order to attract some of the best talent from across the region to join us, our culture and working policies play a key role in that. Having taken on the extra office space last summer – in the middle of the pandemic – we understand the importance of the office and the role it plays in collaborating within the team as well as developing that talent.”
The Liverpool City Region’s plethora of specialist office space – like Elevator Studios – residual talent pool, and comprehensive lifestyle offering have played a key role in recruiting and retaining the necessary workforce to drive forward Skyhook Games’ growth.
Results to date
- Awarded ‘One to Watch’ in the Liverpool City Region Tech Climbers
- Secured funding through the Growth Platform’s New Markets 2 fund
- Secured 2,500 sq ft office space at Elevator Studios in 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic
- Staff headcount increasing year on year
- Successive years of revenue growth since the studio was founded
Support from Growth Platform and the LCR
The ecosystem that has been established in the Liverpool City Region is one of comradery in the sector. Where Skyhook Games are located in the Baltic Triangle, it is surrounded and supported by the local community where there’s a genuine desire for competitors to succeed and to further establish the region as a gaming hub.
Having received support from Liverpool City Region and Growth Platform, Skyhook Games is now motivated to give back and help others in the gaming community.
Skyhook Games works closely with the City Region’s universities and colleges, like Liverpool Media Academy, with founder Jonathan Greenwell panelling a recent gaming pitch competition at the university. Interactions like these allow Skyhook Games to shape the courses that are being offered in order to continue the production of a high-class talent pool.
Chellew added: “Over the last eight years, we have seen the gaming industry grow astronomically. It’s well-documented that market valuation of the sector is over $200bn, with Microsoft’s bid for Activision for $69bn highlighting this at the beginning of 2022.”
“Like the whole sector, Skyhook Games growth continues, with it generating revenue across its three core revenue streams. It’s great to see Liverpool and the City Region established as a centre for excellence, with Sony now moving to a new 65,000 sq ft site in the city centre earlier this year.
“Having our own IP in Lawn Mowing Simulator, it marks the start of our franchise, and an exciting chapter of growth within Skyhook Games’ evolution.
“Diversifying our revenue streams and moving into the great studio facility at Elevator Studios, gives us the space we need to evolve and grow, take on new team members, and create a large open plan work area whilst acting as a training and mentoring hub for our junior and newer staff members.”
“Diversifying our revenue streams and moving into the great studio facility at Elevator Studios, gives us the space we need to evolve and grow, take on new team members, and create a large open plan work area whilst acting as a training and mentoring hub for our junior and newer staff members.”
Jonathan Greenwell, Founder of Skyhook Games
Get in touch
Whatever your business ambition, requirement or opportunity – talk to one of our team to see how we can help. We are in the business of delivering value, success and excellence and we’re waiting to speak with you.
