Black Lab Games
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2008
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 1
About Black Lab Games
Black Lab Games is an independent video game developer based in Perth, Western Australia. Established in April 2008, the studio develops games for PC and consoles, with a portfolio spanning tactical science-fiction combat, licensed strategy games and original action projects. Its work combines game design, tactical AI engineering, 3D art and animation, alongside multiplatform porting and optimization.
Tactical strategy and licensed worlds
The studio’s early releases include Star Hammer Tactics in 2010 and Star Hammer: The Vanguard Prophecy in 2015. The latter established its publishing relationship with strategy specialist Slitherine and helped build its focus on tactical fleet warfare.
Black Lab Games subsequently developed Battlestar Galactica Deadlock, released in 2017. Its WEGO combat system uses simultaneous turn execution to present tactical space battles within the licensed science-fiction setting. The game received seven major expansion packs and reached PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch as well as PC.
In collaboration with Slitherine and Games Workshop, the studio developed Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, released in July 2021. This turn-based tactical strategy game extended the team’s work in adapting established fictional universes into interactive combat systems. Black Lab Games continued supporting the game after launch through faction expansions and procedural campaign modes.
A return to original projects
In April 2024, Slitherine took over development rights for future Battlesector content, while Black Lab Games shifted its attention back to original intellectual property. This transition concerned the game’s continuing development; the studio remains an independent company.
In October 2026, Black Lab Games announced Survive 'Til Dawn!, a hybrid third-person action and tower defence game planned for a 2027 release on PC through Steam. The project broadens its portfolio beyond turn-based strategy while continuing its interest in combining different forms of tactical and action gameplay.
More about Black Lab Games
Leadership and operating model
- Founder Paul Turbett serves as Managing Director and Creative Director.
- The studio operates with a boutique core team, scaling production with specialized contractors.
Funding and recognition
- A 2014 grant from Screen Australia’s Australian Interactive Games Fund helped Turbett expand the studio to develop Star Hammer: The Vanguard Prophecy.
- Black Lab Games received Studio of the Year at the 2021 Australian Game Developer Awards.
Notable credits
5 creditsOffices
Current and former locations of Black Lab Games
- Leederville, Western Australia, Australia
Leederville office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Perth operating base for studio operations, game design and business management. The published contact address is P.O. Box 347, Leederville, WA 6007; a street address is not supplied.
- Tuart Hill, Western Australia, Australia
Tuart Hill office
Former officeAbout this office
Historical postal base used during early operations from 2009–2014, subsequently superseded by the Leederville postal address. The report does not identify physical premises.
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