Industry Veterans Launch Pretty Cool Games: A New Chapter for UK Indie Development
By: Editorial Staff | August 19, 2026
The landscape of independent game development in the United Kingdom is expanding with the arrival of a fresh studio, Pretty Cool Games. Founded by two industry stalwarts with deep roots in the success of Human: Fall Flat, this new venture aims to leverage years of high-level experience to craft unique, player-focused experiences.
Leadership with a Proven Track Record
The studio is spearheaded by a duo with extensive backgrounds in both blockbuster and indie gaming.
* Sitara Shefta (CEO): Bringing a wealth of leadership experience, Shefta previously held the role of CEO and studio director at No Brakes Games. Her portfolio is remarkably diverse, featuring contributions to major franchises such as Dead Island 2, LittleBigPlanet 3, and Disney Infinity.
* Will Dudley (Chief Creative Officer): Dudley steps into his role with a creative vision shaped by his work on a wide array of projects. His resume spans from the whimsical physics-based puzzles of Human: Fall Flat to immersive experiences like Fable the Journey and Transformers.
A Strategic Approach to Growth
Operating as a fully remote organization, Pretty Cool Games is prioritizing a “small but mighty” philosophy. Rather than scaling rapidly, the founders are focused on cultivating a lean, agile team capable of high-impact output. This strategy has already proven effective; the studio’s initial prototypes have successfully captured the attention of both publishers and venture capitalists.
Global Backing and Future Outlook
The studio’s potential has been validated by a significant financial injection from Coreblazer, the investment division of the Singapore-based powerhouse Hypergryph. This partnership is particularly notable as it marks Hypergryph’s inaugural investment within the UK market, signaling a growing international interest in British indie talent.
Clare Yang of Coreblazer expressed confidence in the studio’s trajectory, noting that the creative spark and potential of the team were evident from the very first prototypes. As the industry continues to shift toward smaller, high-quality indie teams, Pretty Cool Games is positioning itself as a studio to watch in the coming years.
