Playstack
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2016
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 2
About Playstack
Playstack is a London-founded independent video game publisher supporting developers across PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR. Established in 2016 by Harvey Elliott and Jasper Smith, the company combines financial backing with technical, production, and commercial support to help independent teams develop and release their games internationally.
Its publishing model covers multiple stages of a game's development and release. Playstack provides production investment and publishing advances, alongside production management, quality assurance, localization, platform compliance, and porting. Its commercial support includes release planning, store page optimization, public relations, trailers, influencer outreach, community building, and user acquisition. Distribution spans major PC storefronts, console platforms, and mobile app stores.
Publishing portfolio
Playstack's portfolio encompasses action role-playing games, survival games, narrative deduction, puzzle adventures, and deckbuilding. Published titles include Mortal Shell, developed by Cold Symmetry; Abiotic Factor, from Deep Field Games; and Color Gray Games' The Case of the Golden Idol and The Rise of the Golden Idol. Other projects include Stubby Games' The Entropy Centre and VOID/BREAKER, alongside The Last Faith and AK-xolotl.
A major milestone was the 2024 launch of Balatro, the poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder created by LocalThunk. Its commercial success substantially increased Playstack's profile and contributed to the publisher's growth during the following years. These projects illustrate a catalogue built around independently developed games across several genres and platforms.
Development capabilities
Alongside its external publishing partnerships, Playstack has expanded its internal development capabilities through acquisitions and team integration. It acquired Finnish mobile developer Hisome in 2018 and simulation specialist Magic Fuel Games in 2022. That same year, the integration of the Laser Dog Games development team established an internal development branch in Leeds.
This combination of publishing support and internal development gives Playstack capabilities spanning game financing, production, technical delivery, marketing, and distribution. Its activities also extend to analytics, retention optimization, and advertising technology for games.
More about Playstack
Leadership
The report identifies Harvey Elliott as CEO and a director, alongside his role as Chair of Ukie. Other executives include Peter Griffin, Chief Strategy Officer; Kevin Shrapnell, Chief Operating Officer and former CEO of Magic Fuel Games; Rob Crossley, Vice President of Publishing; Shan L. Teo, Chief Business Officer; Harriet Hughes, Chief Marketing Officer; and Charlie Hasdell, Creative Director.
Technology and operating practices
- Interact is Playstack's technology for integrating non-intrusive brand advertising into games.
- Developer financing includes milestone-based production investments.
- The company operates a hybrid working model, with remote creative teams across Europe and the Americas.
- Laser Dog Games co-founders Simon Renshaw and Rob Allison joined Playstack full-time when their team was integrated in July 2022.
Industry recognition
Playstack received Best UK Publisher at the Ukie Video Game Awards in both 2025 and 2026.
Notable credits
23 creditsOffices
Where Playstack is based
- London, England, United Kingdom
London offices
HeadquartersAbout this office
**Office** Status: active Headquarters Address: 56a Poland Street, London, W1F 7NN, United Kingdom Global headquarters and registered corporate office supporting central leadership and publishing operations. --- **Office** Status: active Address: The Biscuit Factory, Block G, 100 Clements Road, Bermondsey, London, SE16 4DG Additional operational creative base identified separately from the Poland Street headquarters.
- Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Playstack Leeds
Opened 2022
About this office
Direct development branch established in July 2022 following integration of the Laser Dog Games team, supporting internal development, iOS/Unity engineering, and QA.
Open roles
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