Frontier Developments

Frontier Developments plc is a British video game developer and publisher founded in January 1994 by David Braben, co-creator of the 1984 space-trading simulation Elite. Based in Cambridge, the publicly traded company develops and publishes games for PC and consoles, with a catalogue spanning space simulation, creative management simulation, strategy and licensed entertainment properties.

The company initially worked with publishers including Microsoft, Atari, Sony and Disney, contributing titles such as RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, LostWinds, Kinectimals and Zoo Tycoon. After listing on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2013, Frontier transitioned toward self-publishing its own games.

Games and capabilities

Frontier is particularly associated with Creative Management Simulation (CMS) games and the franchises Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Jurassic World Evolution. Its portfolio also includes Elite Dangerous, the F1 Manager series and Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin.

Its development work is supported by proprietary cross-platform COBRA technology, used for game-engine development and PC and console engineering. The studio’s services cover full-cycle game development, publishing and distribution, proprietary tools, post-launch content support and live operations.

Recent direction

From 2019 to 2022, Frontier operated the third-party publishing imprint Frontier Foundry. Following a strategic review in late 2023, it retired third-party publishing to concentrate on its core CMS business. The company continues to develop and publish titles across its established franchises, including Planet Coaster 2, while pursuing new licensed projects such as a CMS title announced through a Disney IP partnership.

Frontier also owns Canadian developer Complex Games Inc., acquired in November 2022. Complex Games remains a separately branded studio and develops tactical RPG and strategy projects, including the Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate series.