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Just Won't Die

Games & Interactive
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10
Founded
2019
Employees
51-200
Offices
1

About Just Won't Die

Just Won't Die is a Cambridge-based AAA game development studio focused on competitive multiplayer experiences for PC and console. Its flagship project, Ascendant Infinity—originally announced as Ascendant—is presented as an “Adaption Shooter”: a squad-based 3v3v3v3 tactical first-person shooter set in a biopunk world with dynamic environmental events and resource-extraction mechanics.

The studio develops in Unreal Engine and supports the full production cycle around its games, from design, engineering and quality assurance through concept art, environment development, 3D character and hard-surface assets, visual effects, technical art, audio, cinematic editing, community management and live operations. Its creative work centres on tactical FPS gameplay, science-fiction worldbuilding and responsive multiplayer environments.

Founded in early 2019 by Mark Gerhard, Riaan Hodgson and David Gomberg, the company draws on the founders’ prior experience across Jagex and PlayFusion. Ascendant Infinity has been co-developed with sibling studio PlayFusion, with publishing handled through PlayFusion Publishing Ltd.

Development and ownership

In December 2024, Build A Rocket Boy acquired JustWontDie Ltd and PlayFusion. The studio remains active, continuing development and community onboarding for Ascendant Infinity while recruiting across engineering, art and community disciplines in Cambridge.

Just Won't Die describes itself as a “not-only-for-profit” enterprise, linking its game-development ambitions with a commitment to climate and environmental initiatives. The company has stated that it commits 10% of profits to this work.

Selected capabilities

  • Tactical, squad-based multiplayer FPS development
  • Unreal Engine 4 and 5 development
  • Character, creature and hard-surface asset creation
  • Concept art, visual development and biopunk worldbuilding
  • Environmental VFX, technical art, game audio and sound design
  • QA, gameplay testing, community engagement and live-service operations
More about Just Won't Die

Leadership and operating model

  • Mark Michael Gerhard is a director and has been identified as the studio’s CEO and CTO; following the 2024 acquisition, he became Co-CEO of Build A Rocket Boy alongside Leslie Benzies while continuing to steer the Cambridge development operation.
  • Riaan Henning Hodgson is a director and secretary, with COO and CFO responsibilities. David Gomberg is a director, co-founder and president. Tony Watkins is chairman.
  • The Cambridge operation is based at 63 High Street in Little Shelford, a site described as dual-operating as a game studio and the village-pub venue The Side Quest.

Collaboration

Ascendant Infinity was co-created with PlayFusion, which shares founders, personnel, intellectual-property ties and Cambridge workspace with Just Won't Die. PlayFusion Publishing Ltd is the game’s publishing entity.

Notable credits

2 credits
  • Ascendant Infinity
  • Ascendant

Offices

Where Just Won't Die is based

1 location

  • Cambridge offices

    Headquarters
    Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
    About this office

    **Cambridge Studio & Headquarters** Status: active Headquarters Address: 63 High Street, Little Shelford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB22 5ES, England, United Kingdom Cambridge studio and overall headquarters. --- **Office** Status: inactive / historical Address: Vitrum Building, St John’s Innovation Park, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DS, United Kingdom Historical innovation facility.

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