An award-winning game studio has refurbished its Middlesbrough office after securing a new funding package.
Game company SockMonkey has kitted out its North East office with a “comfy” conference area, new meeting rooms and wall vinyl designs after securing a £10,000 funding package from HSBC.
The refurbishment has been designed to improve its office at Boho Five, in Middlehaven, and create space for the company’s growing team, while helping it attract new talent and entertain clients.
The office’s presentation also contains an area for the firm’s office dog, Minnie the pug.
Bob Makin, CEO of SockMonkey Studios, said: “The business is going through a period of growth and the support from HSBC UK has meant we have been able to create a fun working environment which allows the team to have practical downtime in a light open working space. Off the back of some recently completed projects, we’re seeing further expansion in turnover and we anticipate doubling the team.”
The funding used to refurbish the office was financed through HSBC.
Jonathon Alderton, business banking specialist at HSBC UK, added: “SockMonkey Studios is a perfect example of a dynamic, growth-hungry business. The company was founded in 2013 and in six years it has become an award-winning games design studio that has landed prestigious contracts.
“We’re proud to be a part of SockMonkey’s story and we look forward to seeing it expand in the future.”
SockMonkey specialises in porting games to other consoles. The company has worked with Middlesbrough’s Double Eleven to bring the studio’s game Songbringer - a sci-fi action game - to Nintendo Switch.
The studio carries out commercial projects for clients such as the Unilever, and the rugby Six Nations Championship - is currently developing a translation app that will be used by the NHS.
The company has also worked with Manchester studio Team17 on its hit game The Escapists. The game sees players attempt to escape from a prison in the quickest time. SockMonkey ported the game and all of its downloadable content to both iOS and Android.
In February, SockMonkey announced it was launching a major recruitment drive and planned to take its team of 13 staff to 50 by 2021.
