Former Human: Fall Flat Developers Start Pretty Cool Games in Leeds
Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley are hiring artists and level designers while developing a physics-based sandbox game.
A new UK indie studio has opened in Leeds, and its founders already have experience working on Human: Fall Flat.
Pretty Cool Games was founded by Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, who serve as CEO and chief creative officer respectively. The pair previously worked together at No Brakes Games, the studio behind the physics-based comedy platformer.
Shefta was previously No Brakes Games’ CEO and studio director, where she established and led the development team that worked on Human: Fall Flat. Her earlier credits also include LittleBigPlanet 3, Disney Infinity, and Dead Island 2.
Dudley also worked on Human: Fall Flat at No Brakes Games. Before that, his experience included roles at Lionhead Studios, Rare, and SIE.
Pretty Cool Games is hiring for its first project
The Leeds-based studio is hiring artists and level designers, with remote work available to employees. Interested applicants can find the current openings on Pretty Cool Games’ careers page.
Pretty Cool Games has already created prototypes that attracted interest from investors and publishers. Its first project has now entered the early stages of development, although the studio has not announced a title or release details.
The team describes the project as an AA game built around playful physics, sandbox systems, player expression, and emergent gameplay. Shefta and Dudley also want the studio’s games to surprise players, create laughs, and produce memorable moments.
Funding is coming from Coreblazer, the investment arm of Chinese game company Hypergryph. The deal marks Hypergryph’s first investment in a European company.
Hypergryph head of investment Clare Yang said the team’s early prototypes showed creativity and potential, adding that the company was pleased to support Shefta and Dudley as they develop Pretty Cool Games’ first title.
What do you think of Pretty Cool Games’ first direction? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
