#spaceapegames

[weare-bananas]

Axe-actly what the doctor ordered

What better way to get over those January blues and let off some steam than a spot of Axe throwing with our friends down at Whistle Punks in Vauxhall.

Some of us were Axe-edingly good.. Others splintered under the pressure.

There was, however, one among us who truly rose to the challenge. Stephen Furyfist Geddes, first of his name, manager of Live Operations and hailing from Baile Átha Cliath in Ireland, swiftly dispatched all other combatants and ended the series with a final score of 75. Well done Stephen.

If you’re reading this and happen to be the casting director for Game of Thrones we are happy to offer extremely talented extras with real world experience in old world combat

[weare-bananas]

Day in the life of an Ape

You may be asking yourself, what does an average day at Space Ape actually look like? Well, look no further. Here’s a transmission of an an average Tuesday:

//Commence Transmission

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..

...

Tuesday, 6th Feb 2018

….

07:31 hours  - Sunrise

08:00 hours - Hypersleep disengaged. Apes are awake. Ready to take on the world

08:30 hours - Apes are on the bus / train / bike / two feet en route to the studio

09:30 hours - Apes are arriving. Coffee has been brewed. Weetabix are being eaten. Boosters engaged

10:00 hours - Daily company stand up commences in the kitchen. Game team updates are communicated. PSA’s are broadcast. New joiners are welcomed

10:10 hours - Apes to their stations. We have lift off. Ideas are being developed. Limitations are being jettisoned. Games are being made

12:30 hours - Apes break for lunch. Refuelling commences

13:29 hours - Refueling complete

13:30 hours - Apes return to their stations. Prototypes are being iterated. Code is being written. Characters are being conceived. Games are being made

15:15 hours - Apes assemble to honour another Ape’s trip around the sun. Candles are blown. Cake is cut. Crumbs

15:30 hours - Apes return to their stations. Avionics are engaged. Knowledge is being shared. Data is being crunched. Bugs are being splatted. Games are being made

18:00 hours - Systems powering down. Games are being played. Apes are returning home.

…

..

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//Cease Transmission

[weare-bananas]

Games First: London Edition

For those in the know, the Helsinki based ‘Games First’ is a must attend event. The game developer-only gathering is where some of the best and brightest game-makers in the world come to discuss, share and celebrate their passion for the craft. True to their name, this is an event where Games really do come first.

On January 17th 2018, Space Ape had the pleasure of collaborating with Supercell to co-host the very first: GAMES FIRST LONDON EDITION!

Attended by over 300 people at the Congress Centre in Bloomsbury, there were talks by industry leaders discussing topics such as ‘what makes great gaming cities?’ and ‘Card targeting in Clash Royale’. Space Ape’s very own Nick Mansdorf presented the keynote speech on: ‘The Space Ape Funnel - Chasing a Genre Defining Hit’.

Think you have what it takes to contribute? Keep an eye out here and on our website for future events. Who knows, perhaps Games First will be back in London again next year..

[weare-bananas]

Christmas Party

Let’s face it, Christmas parties can sometimes be a little.. predictable. Dinner at your local public house with watered down gravy and chewy stuffing. Followed by luke warm lager, tequila shots and sticky floors. Sound familiar? NOT AT SPACE APE

This year the stage was set with the release of the latest Star Wars film: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. Now, many of us here at Space Ape are avid fans of the franchise and we asked ourselves -  how can we avoid the bitter disappointment if the storyline just isn’t up to par?

The answer: FILM AND STAR IN OUR OWN ‘STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI’ PRODUCTION

Sadly it was only ever shown in a select number of cinemas, but let me assure you, it was EPIC. Massive thanks to JC, Glyn and Hansel for the blood, sweat and tears they put into making it happen. May the force be with you.

[weare-bananas]

Apes Abroad: Norway

Easy Mode:

Hiking up mountains not quite your thing? The EZ mode Apes had it covered. Norway was named as the happiest place on Earth in 2017, and with places like Bogsund, it's not surprising. The Apes hired a sommerhus with a private beach and boat, and proceeded to BBQ, fish and soak in the countryside. Rumour has it they even managed a small (hungover) hike too.  

Easy Mode. Hard Mode. Norway, we salute you.

[weare-bananas]

Sunday (Family) Funday

Thanks to the hard work and planning by our Operations team, this years Family Funday was.. GLORIOUS.

Hosted at Regents University, which is nestled in the centre of Regents Park, the Apes and their families enjoyed a day filled with BBQing, Bouncy castles, Volleyball, Softball and giant chess. And all without a single cloud in sight - PRAISE THE SUN

[weare-bananas]

Never Settle for OK.

Its official, Space Ape has been crowned in the Gamesindustry 2017 awards as the BEST MEDIUM SIZED COMPANY TO WORK AT IN THE UK GAMES INDUSTRY!  

Companies were judged through two sets of surveys looking at benefits, pay, holiday, diversity, growth, stability as well as employee views on their management, the benefits they receive, the culture of their studio, the technical support they receive and the workload that they face.

There was, unfortunately, no section of the questionnaire about biscuit selection offered to employees. Ours is superb by the way.

Interested in making our place of work, your place of work? Check out the roles we are currently hiring for: http://www.spaceapegames.com/careers/

[weare-bananas]

Strike Club - Space Ape Strikes Again

On the 27th April 2017 Strike Club hosted its second annual games industry bowling tournament dedicated to raising money for charity.

This year more than £30,000 was raised in support of Special Effect and Maggie’s Centres! Special Effect is a UK charity that uses technology to enhance the quality of life of people with physical disabilities and Maggie’s Centres offers practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends.

On top of raising money towards these two fantastic causes, and in face of stiff competition, SPACE APE CLAIMED FIRST PLACE FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING! Not that we are bragging or anything.

Thank you to Strike Club for organising and their continued work and our team: Richard Reyes, Neil Parkinson, Chris Jubb and Lee Sullivan for taking part