Grid Games

Studio Overview

Grid Games is an independent AA video game development studio based in Weesp, Netherlands. Founded in 2018 by brothers Jeffrey Wilcke—a co-founder of Ethereum and architect of the Go-Ethereum client—and Joey Wilcke, the studio is dedicated to the creation of original, high-fidelity massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). The studio operates as a collaborative, in-person development hub, emphasizing cross-disciplinary teamwork between engine programmers, gameplay designers, and artists.

Development Philosophy and Technology

The studio’s creative direction is heavily influenced by the systemic depth and social dynamics of early-2000s virtual worlds, including Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Neocron. Grid Games focuses on building persistent, player-driven environments characterized by complex economic systems, profession-based progression, and manual combat mechanics.

To support these ambitious goals, the studio has moved its production pipeline to Unreal Engine 5. Key technical capabilities include:

• Proprietary Networking: Development of the Grid Networking Protocol (GNP), an asynchronous messaging layer designed for large-scale world synchronization and state management.
• Modern Pipeline Integration: Utilization of industry-standard tools such as Epic Games Horde for build infrastructure, Perforce for version control, and advanced character customization frameworks like MetaHuman and Mutable.
• Systems Design: Deep focus on player-driven economies, inventory management, and cybernetic augmentation systems.

Current Projects

The studio is currently developing its flagship sci-fi MMORPG, known in development as Grid Online (with international filings associated with the title Gridrunners). This project serves as the primary focus for the team, aiming to deliver a modern, systemic experience that honors the legacy of classic online titles while leveraging contemporary engine capabilities.