Ground Shatter

Ground Shatter is an independent video game development studio based in Bristol, England. Founded in 2014, it develops mechanically focused games that combine tactile action with tactical decision-making. Its work draws inspiration from 1990s arcade culture and cinema fight choreography, spanning competitive arena combat, first-person shooters and turn-based deck-building games.

The studio's early releases included SkyScrappers (2015), a competitive arena fighter-climber, and RICO (2019), a buddy-cop shooter built around procedurally generated breach-and-clear encounters. RICO: London followed in 2021, continuing its exploration of arcade action and close-quarters combat.

Tactical combat and deck-building

Fights in Tight Spaces (2021) combines tactical deck-building with martial arts combat. The game brought together card-based decisions and physical action within constrained combat environments, establishing a focus that continued across subsequent projects. Ground Shatter expanded the game with additional downloadable content and released Knights in Tight Spaces in March 2025, published by Raw Fury.

In June 2026, the studio launched 2 Fights in 2 Tight Spaces into Steam Early Access. The sequel introduces online cooperative player-versus-environment multiplayer, extending the studio's tactical combat approach to shared encounters.

Development capabilities

Ground Shatter's capabilities span concept development, game design, prototyping, programming, art and quality assurance. Its production work includes 3D modeling, rigging and animation, systems balancing, multiplayer implementation and networking integration. The studio also supports multi-platform porting and console deployment, with work across PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

Across its portfolio, Ground Shatter combines experience in procedural level generation, roguelike progression, local cooperative play, split-screen modes and networked multiplayer. These capabilities support games ranging from immediate arcade action to more deliberate, turn-based combat.

Reforged Studios acquired a controlling interest in 2024. Statutory filings record the end of Reforged's control in April 2026 and the restoration of founder control, returning Ground Shatter to independent ownership.