Hydra Studios
Visuals with more bite
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2020
- Employees
- 11-50
- Offices
- 1
About Hydra Studios
Hydra Studios is an independent CGI animation, visual effects and cinematic production studio based in Glasgow, Scotland. It creates game trailers, opening cinematics, in-game cutscenes, commercials, title sequences and short-form narrative work for entertainment and advertising clients. Its visual work spans photoreal imagery, stylized animation and digital character performance.
Conceived in early 2020, the company grew from the collaboration behind the independent short film HOME. Following the film’s April release, the founders incorporated the business in May and launched commercial operations that summer, beginning their first live client project in July. That origin connects the studio’s narrative filmmaking background with its subsequent work for game developers, publishers and brands.
From creative development to final delivery
The studio offers a full CGI production pipeline, bringing together creative direction, previsualization and storyboarding with asset creation, animation and finishing. Its capabilities include character modeling, photogrammetry, performance capture integration, look development, lighting and shading. Procedural terrain creation and effects simulation support its environment work, while compositing and post-production finishing complete the delivery process.
Alongside rendered CGI, Hydra produces real-time cinematic work using Unreal Engine 5. Its production capabilities encompass both detailed environments and character-led storytelling, supporting projects with different visual styles and technical requirements.
Cinematic work across entertainment
The studio’s portfolio includes the opening cinematic for Avowed, cinematic trailers for Killing Floor III and Solium Infernum, and a teaser trailer for Star Atlas. Its work also includes a cinematic for the Wild Rift Icons Global Championship and the short film Beckoning, an Unreal Engine 5 procedural showcase. Together, these projects reflect a focus on cinematic storytelling across commissioned game content and independent short-form production.
More about Hydra Studios
Founders and leadership
The founders previously worked together in senior roles at Axis Studios. As of November 2026, the active directors are Debbie Ross, Executive Producer; Sergio Lando Pereira Caires, CG Supervisor; and Mykolas (Mikas) Sadauskas, Head of Pipeline/R&D.
Technical infrastructure
A proprietary cloud-based virtual pipeline connects the Glasgow production hub with international artists and technical specialists. Houdini supports procedural environment synthesis, strata modeling and effects simulation; Maya, ZBrush and Marvelous Designer support asset creation and character work.
Working model and collaborations
The studio describes an approach centered on quality over quantity, a small collaborative team and limited hierarchy. Its physical workspace is optional within a production model designed to support remote collaboration.
Recurring collaborations with directors Sava Zivkovic and Ben Craig connect external direction with the studio’s animation and technical production capabilities.
Notable credits
9 creditsOffices
Where Hydra Studios is based
- 24A The Hidden Lane, 1103 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow, G3 8ND, Scotland, United KingdomGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Overall headquarters housing the core leadership, technical supervision and production team, with an optional collaborative workspace supporting remote production.
Open roles
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