Airship Interactive has been bought out of administration by founder and former CEO, Joe Hartford.
Reborn as Airmergent, Hartford said that he had acquired its assets personally, so that all client projects and staff would continue “uninterrupted” under the new business.
“Airmergent allows us to protect the team, preserve the work we’re proud of, and build something even stronger,” said Harford, CEO, Airmergent.
“We’re carrying forward everything that made Airship trusted by clients worldwide, while expanding into co-development, enhanced workflows, and more agile ways of working. I’m proud of the resilience our team has shown and grateful to our partners for continuing the journey with us.”
Alderley Park-based Airship Interactive called in the administrators on July 1st, appointing Mike Dillon and Anthony Milnes of Leonard Curtis in Manchester.
The games studio worked on titles including Star Wars Hunters, Marvel Spider-Man and FC24. In January this year it received a “6-figure investment” from NPIF II-FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital as part of The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
READ MORE – “Six-figure” NPIF investment for South Manchester games studio
That was the third investment from FW Capital since 2020.
When they made the announcement, the company employed 85 staff, with sales of around £9m.
The company stated that it went into administration “in response to wider industry challenges.”
“Existing management funded the transition to ensure business continuity, preserve the studio’s creative legacy, and protect the livelihoods of its team,” it said.
All staff have transferred to the Airmergent under UK TUPE regulations, “with no disruption to contracts, payroll, or client delivery.”
Hartford said that the new business was built to meet “the evolving needs of the games industry.”
