Payload Studios

Payload Studios is an independent British video game developer and publisher founded in 2013 by Russell “Russ” Clarke and Vincent Scheurer. Operating from London, the studio creates community-driven games centred on modular construction, physics-based vehicles, open-world exploration, combat, crafting and survival systems.

Games and development

Its flagship franchise is TerraTech, a sandbox vehicle-building and combat game that entered Steam Early Access in 2015 and received its full release in 2018 before expanding to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The studio subsequently developed TerraTech Worlds, a PvE co-operative survival and construction game released in Early Access in 2024.

In 2026, Payload released TerraTech Legion, previously codenamed Bullet Heaven Builder. The action roguelite combines the franchise’s modular vehicle construction with fast-paced survivors-like combat and was published in partnership with Mythwright for PC, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass.

Studio capabilities

Payload handles full-cycle game development across design, programming and art production, alongside self-publishing and co-publishing, community management, and live game operation. Its work focuses on PC and console releases, including distribution through Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store and major console platforms.

The company also supports the wider independent-development community through mentoring, accelerator activity and its developer co-working initiative, The Tentacle Zone.

Payload Studios remains privately held and operationally independent. Tencent Holdings acquired a minority investment stake in 2021 to support expansion, while the founding leadership retained creative and operational autonomy. The studio continues to develop its TerraTech intellectual property across new genres and platforms.