Twisted by name but heading in the right direction

Oct 29 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A GROUP of award-winning graduates plan to approach one of the world’s biggest video-gaming companies after only one year of launching their company.

Twisted Studio, which designs video games and other software, says it is ready to approach gaming giant Nintendo after a year of impressive growth.

The business was spun out of Teesside University last year by Graham Bryan, 24, Kevin Jones, 25, and Michael Kirby, 25, and has already managed to grow by working with companies such as the BBC and a number of Asian gaming companies including Inixsoft.

Twisted plans to use its rapid growth to impress Nintendo in order to produce software for its Wii and DS consoles which it believes to be among the key platforms for the company’s future development.

Graham said: “We are focusing on games that include user generated content, for which the Nintendo consoles are known. Also, as the Wii can connect to the internet, we see greater integration between our mobile phone and console game designs.”

Its core product is a software package known as the Logic Project and is a toolkit designed to help other software companies create video games for mobile phones.

The trio worked with the BBC earlier this year to create an animated backdrop to this year’s Proms in the Park in Middlesbrough.

The team has already outgrown its current office at the Teesside University campus and is moving to a larger site on the premises over the coming months. It is also looking to employ a team of designers and sales staff.

Kevin said: “The games industry is massive. However, we think we stand out from the crowd. As an up-and-coming games designer, we want to grow in various markets, which we have already made steps in doing so. We also want to become more involved with companies outside the gaming world in order to get our name out there.”

The company has developed unique branding, with a quirky design that incorporates a new cartoon character for every member of staff. The team has discussed launching an online competition to help name the characters.

Stephen said: “We have created a very identifiable brand which we feel is important. My character designs have been compared to Tim Burton’s, which I am pleased with as they stand out. We are also planning to use these characters in our game designs.”

Twisted Studio this month was named a runner-up in the Business Award category at this year’s North-East Universities Business Planning Competition.