{{Short description|British video-game developer}} {{about|the company|gamers who find glitches|Glitching (video games)}} {{infobox website | name = GLITCHERS | logo = Glitchers-Square-512.png | founded =10 September 2013 | location = Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | founder = Maxwell Scott-Slade | products = | industry = Indie game design and development | url = {{URL| http://glitchers.com/}} }}
'''Glitchers''' is a British video-game company based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
==Overview== The company was founded in 2013.<ref name="lomas">{{cite web|last1=Lomas|first1=Natasha|title=Chippy Is A Fish & Chip Shop Simulator For iOS That Puts The Fun Into Deep-Fat Frying|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/11/02/chippy/|website=Techcrunch|accessdate=5 May 2016|date=2 November 2013|archive-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518230045/http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/02/chippy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Maxwell Scott-Slade|url=http://www.icetotallygaming.com/node/35581|website=ICE Totally Gaming|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513035258/http://www.icetotallygaming.com/node/35581|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sgn">{{cite web |title=Company Profile: Glitchers |url=https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/05/company-profile-glitchers/ |website=The Scottish Games Network |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211102016/https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/05/company-profile-glitchers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Glitchers is best known for developing ''Sea Hero Quest'' in 2016. The game was developed in collaboration with Alzheimer's Research UK to help dementia research by tracking players' 3D navigation.<ref>{{cite web |title='We can change lives': How one Scottish games company is helping to fight dementia |url=https://www.thenational.scot/community/subscriber/23892050.one-edinburgh-based-gaming-company-helping-tackle-dementia/ |website=The National |access-date=11 December 2023 |language=en |date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211125935/https://www.thenational.scot/community/subscriber/23892050.one-edinburgh-based-gaming-company-helping-tackle-dementia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The company's name was GLITCHE.RS from 2013 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glitchers Ltd overview |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08683349 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |publisher=Companies House |access-date=10 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110120659/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08683349 |url-status=live }}</ref> It uses the tagline "Games for Good",<ref>{{cite web |title=Glitchers - Games for Good |url=https://www.glitchers.com/ |website= |publisher=Glitchers |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211102019/https://www.glitchers.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and aims to "create games that could make a positive impact on the world".<ref name=ten />
==Games==
* '''''Plunderland''''' (2010) is an interactive pirate adventure game for iPhone, released initially as part of Johnny Two Shoes but now developed by Glitchers and is available as part of GameClub. * '''''Chippy''''' (2013), a time management game in a simulated fish and chips shop, Chippy was developed as a self-funded app based game and is now available as part of GameClub.<ref name=lomas /> Chippy was well received and described by Pocket Gamer as "addictive stuff, and it's easy to play".<ref name="pg2021">{{cite web |last1=McKeand |first1=Kirk |title=Chippy |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/054982/chippy/ |website=Pocket Gamer |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226214125/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/054982/chippy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''Gumulon''''' (2013) is a mobile app based game promoting Stride chewing gum by requiring the player to chew to activate the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gumulon Case Study|url=http://wklondon.com/work/view/stride-gum-gumulon-case-study|website=W+K LDN|publisher=Wieden+Kennedy|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611191659/http://wklondon.com/work/view/stride-gum-gumulon-case-study|archive-date=11 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''''Kano''''' is an experimental colour-matching arcade game,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kano|url=http://www.kanoapp.com/|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-date=9 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609190340/http://www.kanoapp.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> which Glitchers explain “was designed primarily as an experiment for us to test out assumptions around player retention, payment models and growth hacking.”<ref>{{cite web |title=Kano |url=https://glitchers.com/project/kano/ |website=Glitchers |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310112056/https://glitchers.com/project/kano/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''Sea Hero Quest''''' (2016) is a mobile game which contributes to research on dementia by tracking players' 3D navigation<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Mobile game Sea Hero Quest 'helps dementia research'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36203674|accessdate=5 May 2016|work=BBC News|date=4 May 2016|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505000511/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36203674|url-status=live}}</ref> It was designed by Glitchers in association with Alzheimer's Research UK, University College London and the University of East Anglia and with funding from Deutsche Telekom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partners|url=http://www.seaheroquest.com/en/credits|website=Sea Hero Quest|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513152506/http://www.seaheroquest.com/en/credits|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|last1=Titcomb|first1=James|title=Playing this smartphone game can help fight dementia|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/05/04/playing-this-smartphone-game-can-help-fight-dementia/|accessdate=5 May 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=4 May 2016|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505171056/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/05/04/playing-this-smartphone-game-can-help-fight-dementia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Home page|url=http://glitchers.com/|publisher=Glitchers|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513181842/http://glitchers.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The idea for the game came from neuroscientist Michael Hornberger of the University of East Anglia who collaborated with Hugo Spiers of University College London and a group of six other neuroscientists.<ref name="kaplan">{{cite news|last1=Kaplan|first1=Sara|title=Two minutes playing this video game could help scientists fight Alzheimer's|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/07/two-minutes-playing-this-video-game-could-help-scientists-fight-alzheimers/|accessdate=8 May 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|date=7 May 2016|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610063715/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/05/07/two-minutes-playing-this-video-game-could-help-scientists-fight-alzheimers/|url-status=live}}</ref> A new Research Edition was announced in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sea Hero Quest relaunches as a new Research Edition |url=https://www.glitchers.com/blog/sea-hero-quest-research-edition |website=Blog |publisher=Glitchers |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211105948/https://www.glitchers.com/blog/sea-hero-quest-research-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''Cone Wars''''' (2017) is an online multiplayer and PC game featuring Ice cream van turf wars<ref>{{cite web|title=Cone wars|url=http://conewars.com/|accessdate=5 May 2016|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521085832/http://conewars.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> in which teams compete to sell the most ice creams using weapons and tactics. * '''''Nestlums''''' (2020) is a money training app for children, designed to teach good financial habits using familiar gaming techniques, developed in collaboration with Cauldron.<ref name="nest2021">{{cite web |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Aimee |title=Meet Nestlums, the app teaching kids all about money |url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/nestlums-app/ |website=Creative Review |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420081956/https://www.creativereview.co.uk/nestlums-app/ |url-status=live }}</ref> *'''''Crush your FOFO''''' (2018) was developed with the Patients Association and AbbVie to explore patients' "Fear of Finding Out" which leads them to delay seeking medical advice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crush Your FOFO |url=https://www.glitchers.com/crush-your-fofo |website=Glitchers |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211104625/https://www.glitchers.com/crush-your-fofo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A new quiz app wants to help users beat their fear of finding out bad news from the doctor |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/science-and-technology/2018/02/15/a-new-quiz-app-wants-to-help-users-beat-their-fear-of-finding-out-bad-news-from-the-doctor/ |access-date=11 December 2023 |work=www.expressandstar.com |date=15 February 2018 |language=en |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211104625/https://www.expressandstar.com/news/science-and-technology/2018/02/15/a-new-quiz-app-wants-to-help-users-beat-their-fear-of-finding-out-bad-news-from-the-doctor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Quiz aims to help understand the fear of finding out medical conditions |url=https://www.digitalhealth.net/2018/02/online-quiz-which-aims-to-help-understand-the-fear-of-finding-out/ |access-date=11 December 2023 |work=Digital Health |date=20 February 2018 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211104625/https://www.digitalhealth.net/2018/02/online-quiz-which-aims-to-help-understand-the-fear-of-finding-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''Drive Buy''''' (2021) is described as a "short-session multiplayer vehicle combat game with a delivery twist" and is available on Steam and Nintendo Switch<ref name="nl2021">{{cite web |last1=Craddock |first1=Ryan |title=Multiplayer Vehicle Combat Game Drive Buy Speeds Onto Switch |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/multiplayer_vehicle_combat_game_drive_buy_speeds_onto_switch_next_month |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220150519/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/multiplayer_vehicle_combat_game_drive_buy_speeds_onto_switch_next_month |url-status=live }}</ref>
In a 2023 blog post marking the 10th anniversary of the company, two forthcoming games were described:<ref name=ten>{{cite web |title=Celebrating 10 years |url=https://www.glitchers.com/blog/celebrating-10-years |website=Blog |publisher=Glitchers |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211110835/https://www.glitchers.com/blog/celebrating-10-years |url-status=live }}</ref> *'''''Forest Guardian''''' will concern rainforest protection *'''''Enhance''''', developed with University College London, will be a "spiritual successor" to ''Sea Hero Quest'', "targeted at the 60-80 year old audience Sea Hero Quest couldn’t quite reach".
==Awards== In 2018 Sea Hero Quest was nominated for a British Academy Games Awards BAFTA in the category: Game Beyond Entertainment,<ref name="Baf2021">{{cite web |title=Game Beyond Entertainment: Sea Hero Quest VR |url=https://www.bafta.org/games/features/game-beyond-entertainment-sea-hero-quest-vr |website=BAFTA.org |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208060831/https://www.bafta.org/games/features/game-beyond-entertainment-sea-hero-quest-vr |url-status=live }}</ref> a new category for games which "deliver a transformational experience beyond pure entertainment".<ref name="bafta2018">{{cite web|last1=Makedonski|first1=Brett|title=BAFTA names What Remains of Edith Finch its best game of 2017|url=https://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml|accessdate=13 April 2018|work=Destructoid|date=12 April 2018|archive-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425185417/https://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Sea Hero Quest'' also won bronze in the 2018 The One Show awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=The One Show - Archive of Winners {{!}} The One ClubOne Show {{!}} Glitchers / London {{!}} 2018 {{!}} Interactive |url=https://www.oneclub.org/awards/theoneshow/-agency/Glitchers+[s]+London/2018/3/all |website=www.oneclub.org |access-date=11 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211130723/https://www.oneclub.org/awards/theoneshow/-agency/Glitchers+%5Bs%5D+London/2018/3/all |url-status=live }}</ref>
Also in 2018 Glitchers won a Webby award for Social Impact.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 Winners|url= https://winners.webbyawards.com/2018/games/general-games/social-impact/57774/sea-hero-quest-vr|accessdate=10 March 2021|work=The Webby Awards|date=24 April 2018}}</ref>
In 2020 Sea Hero Quest was nominated for the Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game at the New York Game Awards.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sheehan|first1=Gavin|title=The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/01/02/the-new-york-game-awards-announces-2020-nominees/|accessdate=4 January 2020|work=Bleeding Cool|date=2 January 2020|archive-date=4 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104041855/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/01/02/the-new-york-game-awards-announces-2020-nominees/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2022 the company was awarded funding from the UK Games Fund to support the development of ''Cone Wars''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three Scottish Studios Awarded £25K By UK Games Fund |url=https://scottishgames.net/2022/05/13/uk-games-fund-awards-grants-to-three-scottish-studios/ |website=The Scottish Games Network |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=13 May 2022 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211102015/https://scottishgames.net/2022/05/13/uk-games-fund-awards-grants-to-three-scottish-studios/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Cone Wars |url=https://ukgamesfund.com/funded-project/cone-wars/ |website=UK Games Fund |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211015749/https://ukgamesfund.com/funded-project/cone-wars/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|http://glitchers.com/}}
Category:Video game companies of the United Kingdom Category:Video game development companies Category:Video game companies established in 2013 Category:British companies established in 2013