Ex-Blast Furnace devs form new game studio in Sheffield

Three former developers at Activision’s now defunct The Blast Furnace have opened a new studio called Mars on a Stick in Sheffield.

The team consists of MD Martyn Bramall, artistic director Jerr OCarroll and technical director Lizi Attwood.

As well as working at the Blast Furnace, the trio has experience between them on top franchises including Tomb Raider, Burnout and Call of Duty.

Speaking to Develop, Bramall said the studio would be developing for multiple platforms, though its first title will be released primarily on mobile.

As well as the three directors, the team also consists of other "experienced" staff the trio have previously worked with in the past.

Bramall said forming the studio is something the founders had been discussing for a while, but has been given extra impetus following the closure of The Blast Furnace.

“The changing market is such that we believe a team really needs to be agile enough to adapt quickly in order to develop on new platforms and to provide the best solutions to requirements,” he said.

“The closure of The Blast Furnace was unfortunate with a lot of great really talent people released into the ‘wild.’ Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to work together again.”