Wargamer gunning for US military success

A MIDLANDS war games company is in talks with the US government about the possibility of providing its troops with military training. If the talks come to fruition then Warfighters could be on the cusp of becoming a multi-million pound industry.

The company, whose registered office is in Stratford-upon-Avon but which stages games at a site in Northamptonshire, uses military-standard technology to make its simulations as real as possible.

It has also secured a unique deal with games publisher Ubisoft to offer wargamers the chance to participate in a real-life version of the BAFTA award-winning video game Ghost Recon.

Owner Dave Thatcher said: “What we do is unique. We are the only company in the history of video games to have been granted exclusive rights by publisher Ubisoft  – the Walt Disney of the gaming world – to host a real life version of Ghost Recon.

“What makes us different is our technology and innovation. Our technology is military standard and we are tendering against multi million pound companies. We’re talking to the US government about doing some training for the US army. If that comes off it will transform us from a small company to a multi-million pound one.”

Warfighters, whose resources include 55 real tanks, has worked on the Call of Duty television series and its site is used for movie location work, with Green Zone and Black Hawk Down among them. In addition, video games manufacturers use its technology to help with their games programming, while it also derives income from corporate events, birthdays and stag parties.

Advising the firm has been Stratford-based accountants Leigh Graham Associates (LGA).

Mr Thatcher said: “Without LGA behind me Warfighters would be extremely difficult to run. The cool thing is LGA have guided me through the process of not only incorporating my sole trade business but have also assisted me with understanding capital investment requirements.”