Veterans from Disney, Jagex, and Codemasters Launch New Publishing Company, The CoLab

Three veterans of the UK gaming industry have come together to launch a fresh indie publishing house, The CoLab. Behind this new venture are Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis. Newnham brings experience from his prior work with United Label, Fnatic, and Disney Interactive. Faulkner’s career includes time at Jagex, PlayFusion, and Bossa. Meanwhile, Lewis boasts a rich history with renowned companies like Codemasters and Criterion.

Already, The CoLab has three distinct projects in development: a charming, cozy game currently dubbed Campfire, the cyberpunk-inspired shooter DeadWire, and a strategic offering called Counter Clash. Not just focused on game development, The CoLab has teamed up with the charity Safe in Our World to prioritize the mental well-being of workers in the gaming sector. Their mission is to offer support to indie developers during what they describe as challenging times for the industry.

“We need to spark a rebellion,” announced CEO Newnham. “We’re championing cooperation and collaboration in an industry crying out for change. Recent trends, including widespread layoffs spurred by ‘greedflation,’ highlight the urgent need for a shift in focus. Too often, publishers chase shareholder profits at the expense of gamers’ needs, resulting in half-finished games hitting the market at steep prices. Meanwhile, developers face hurdles like project cancellations, unpaid efforts, and even losing their intellectual property rights.”

Newnham outlined The CoLab’s mission as a catalyst for change through a visionary counter-revolution. Their aim is to bring together creative game developers, share valuable resources, and empower them to succeed in the fiercely competitive gaming landscape. The CoLab envisions a community where every developer becomes an integral part of their collective, fostering an atmosphere that nurtures long-term partnerships and ensures rewarding outcomes.