Games firm enjoys major expansion thanks to £5m investment

Steamforged Games

A tabletop games firm set up by two friends has taken on its 50th employee thanks to a £5m investment.

Steamforged Games began as the dream of two friends and has grown to a team of 52 following the investment.

The Manchester-based board game developer has taken on 14 new staff members in the last two months.

Steamforged was launced in 2014 by Rich Loxam and Mat Hart, creators of the sports-based miniatures game Guild Ball.

Previously based in the corner of a retail store in Stockport, the company has since moved to 16,000sq ft premises in Manchester to support its growing team.

Rich Loxam, co-founder and chief executive of the business, said: “As it has been from the beginning, Steamforged is made up of creative, talented people who love what they do.

“Foresight’s investment will allow us to further mature as a company.

“In growing our staff, we’ve entered into the next phase of Steamforged’s evolution, in which we’ll both forecast and positively react to industry changes.

“It’s a very exciting time for the business.”

Following the company’s early success with Guild Ball, Steamforged has gone on to develop tabletop versions of popular video game titles such as Resident Evil 2: The Board Game and Ni no Kuni II: The Board Game.

The company’s new office in Trafford Park includes an onsite store known as The Forge that offers tabletop games, miniatures, paints and accessories and a space to take part in games and tournaments.

The £5m investment made by Foresight Group will be used to support a 24-month growth pipeline which includes the development of eight additional games.

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