Ex-nDreams designer forms new UK studio Hoverfly

Former nDreams designer Nicholas Pendriis has founded a new independent studio in the UK.

Based in Winchester, Hoverfly will create games for all platforms, with its first Unity-developed title to be released on PC, Android and iOS, as well as other platforms at a later date.

Although based in the UK, the studio also has staff situated in Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Having previously worked at studios such as nDreams as resident game designer, Pendriis said he founded the developer after finding it tough to find a job in the UK game industry following a stint in Japan.

“I founded Hoverfly in June of 2012, in response to my difficult circumstances,” Pendriis told Develop.

“I had just arrived back in the UK after living out in Tokyo for some time and I needed work. Despite truly valiant efforts, I just couldn’t get a job. My resume is respectable and my references show that I’m an asset but it’s tough out there. For everyone.

“However, my motivation to succeed is fuelled by deeply personal reasons and is, frankly, completely unstoppable! So I decided to create my own job. One that would capitalise on my lifetime of experience, skills, ideas, contacts and intellectual properties. That stuff has value."

He added: “Hoverfly is a new, spirited, independent brand with some exciting things happening behind closed doors. We’re in discussions with some super-exciting partners and it’ll be interesting to see what happens."

Pendriis said the new studio was taking a number of cues from the film industry, positioning itself as a “game production company”, and will contract some of its work to external developers.