# Mike Bithell

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English video game designer and developer

Mike Bithell Bithell at GDC Europe, 2013 Born Michael Bithell[1] (1985-11-07) 7 November 1985 (age 40)[2] Occupation Video game developer Years active 2010–present Known for Thomas Was Alone, Volume, Play, Watch, Listen Mike Bithell talking about Thomas Was Alone Published June 2013 Website www.bithellgames.com

**Michael Bithell** is an English [video game designer](/source/Video_game_designer), [developer](/source/Video_game_developer), and [podcaster](/source/Podcaster) best known for his work on *[Thomas Was Alone](/source/Thomas_Was_Alone)* and *[Volume](/source/Volume_(video_game))*. He is a regular host of the *Play, Watch, Listen* podcast, along with [Alanah Pearce](/source/Alanah_Pearce), [Troy Baker](/source/Troy_Baker), and [Austin Wintory](/source/Austin_Wintory).[3] He also co-hosts an evolving pop culture podcast with long time friend, British YouTuber and comedic author [Daniel Hardcastle](/source/Daniel_Hardcastle), talking about shows and movies like [Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek), [Fast and Furious](/source/Fast_%26_Furious), [Mission Impossible](/source/Mission%3A_Impossible_(film_series)) and various others.[4]

## Career

Bithell credits his high school history teacher for helping him to get into games programming: when their class was given an essay assignment, Bithell asked instead if he could make a point-and-click adventure game about the topic in lieu of an essay. The teacher was impressed with the work and allowed Bithell to continue to present games instead of essays for the class.[5]

Bithell [independently](/source/Independent_video_game_development) developed an early version of the *[Thomas Was Alone](/source/Thomas_Was_Alone)* video game in 2010 while working for [Blitz Games](/source/Blitz_Games), where he was a junior designer, and later a [level](/source/Level_design) [designer](/source/Game_design) on games such as *[Tak and the Guardians of Gross](/source/Tak_and_the_Guardians_of_Gross)*, *[Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao](/source/Invincible_Tiger%3A_The_Legend_of_Han_Tao)*, *[iCarly](/source/ICarly_(video_game))* and *[Dead to Rights: Retribution](/source/Dead_to_Rights%3A_Retribution)*, from 2007 to 2011.[6][7] He developed the prototype game in 24 hours and released it for free online through the [Kongregate](/source/Kongregate) website, receiving 100,000 'plays' in the first week.[8] He joined [Bossa Studios](/source/Bossa_Studios) in February 2011, working to expand the [flash](/source/Adobe_Flash)-based *Thomas* to a full title and learning how to use the [Unity engine](/source/Unity_engine) in his time there.[9] The full game was released on 30 June 2012 and went on to sell over a million copies, winning a [BAFTA](/source/British_Academy_of_Film_and_Television_Arts) at the [9th British Academy Games Awards](/source/9th_British_Academy_Games_Awards) in the "Best Performer" category (for narrator [Danny Wallace](/source/Danny_Wallace_(humourist))) and receiving a further two nominations ("Best Original Music" and "Best Story").[8][10][11][12] He left Bossa in January 2013 to "concentrate on [indie development](/source/Independent_video_game_development)".[7][9] He has since worked on a [Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood)-based [stealth game](/source/Stealth_game) named *[Volume](/source/Volume_(video_game))*, which was released on 18 August 2015 for Windows, OS X, and PlayStation 4 and Vita platforms.[13] In 2016, Bithell released *EarthShape*, a [virtual reality game](/source/Virtual_reality_game) for [Google Daydream](/source/Google_Daydream). Bithell collaborated with composer [Russell Shaw](/source/Russell_Shaw_(composer)) and animator Tim Borelli on the project. The game featured voice acting from British comedian [Sue Perkins](/source/Sue_Perkins).[14] In August 2017, Bithell released a new game *[Subsurface Circular](/source/Subsurface_Circular)*, a first of what he calls "Bithell Shorts" that are designed as short, narrative focused games.[15] In May 2018, Bithell released another short titled *[Quarantine Circular](/source/Quarantine_Circular)*.[16]

Bithell is the lead developer behind *[John Wick Hex](/source/John_Wick_Hex)*, a video game based on the *[John Wick](/source/John_Wick)* film series.[17]

Bithell has gained significant notability in the [video game industry](/source/Video_game_industry) due both to the unexpected success of *Thomas* and also for his views on the current industry as a whole.[10][13][18][19][20] He has outlined the problems for fellow indie developers producing [mobile games](/source/Mobile_games), commenting on the suitability of [free-to-play](/source/Free-to-play) mechanics for indie gaming and other issues.[13][21][22]

Following release of *[Tron: Catalyst](/source/Tron%3A_Catalyst)* in 2025, Bithell had to let go of eleven, most of his full-time staff, at Bithell Games due to failing to secure funding for a follow-on project.[23]

## Games

- *[Thomas Was Alone](/source/Thomas_Was_Alone)* - 2012, self-published

- *[Volume](/source/Volume_(video_game))* - 2015, Bithell Games

- *[Subsurface Circular](/source/Subsurface_Circular)* - 2017, Bithell Shorts

- *[Quarantine Circular](/source/Quarantine_Circular)* - 2018, Bithell Shorts

- *[John Wick Hex](/source/John_Wick_Hex)* - 2019, Bithell Games / [Good Shepherd Entertainment](/source/Good_Shepherd_Entertainment)

- *[The Solitaire Conspiracy](/source/The_Solitaire_Conspiracy)* - 2020, Bithell Games[24]

- *Arcsmith* - 2021, Bithell Games

- *[Tron: Identity](/source/Tron%3A_Identity)* - 2023, Bithell Games

- *[Tron: Catalyst](/source/Tron%3A_Catalyst)* - 2025, Bithell Games / Big Fan Games

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Michael BITHELL"](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/NTdYxNnvc_YCXFMnhhTpHywy2nY/appointments). [Companies House](/source/Companies_House).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Bithell, Mike [@mikeBithell] (7 November 2021). ["Oh shit I'm 36"](https://twitter.com/mikeBithell/status/1457298127761903623) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Play, Watch, Listen"](https://playwatchlisten.libsyn.com). 20 December 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Impossible New Worlds on Apple Podcasts"](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/impossible-new-worlds/id1672881866). *Apple Podcasts*. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Bailey, Dustin (3 January 2019). ["Mike Bithell explains how his history teacher made Thomas Was Alone possible"](https://www.pcgamesn.com/thomas-was-alone/thomas-was-alone-mike-bithell). *[PCGamesN](/source/PCGamesN)*. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Chapple, Craig (4 February 2013). ["Mike Bithell leaves Bossa Studios"](http://www.develop-online.net/news/mike-bithell-leaves-bossa-studios/0113956). *[Develop](/source/Develop_(UK_magazine))*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-polygon_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-polygon_7-1) Gera, Emily (4 February 2013). ["*Thomas Was Alone* creator Mike Bithell leaves Bossa Studios to begin new projects"](http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/4/3949906/thomas-was-alone-creator-mike-bithell-leaves-bossa-studios-to-begin). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ew_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ew_8-1) Rivera, Joshua (18 January 2015). ["Meet Mike Bithell, the man who's reinventing Robin Hood"](http://www.ew.com/article/2014/12/03/mike-bithell-volume-game). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gamesindustry_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gamesindustry_9-1) Weber, Rachel (4 February 2013). ["Bithell leaves Bossa to go it alone"](http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-04-bithell-leaves-bossa). *[GamesIndustry](/source/GamesIndustry)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-theverge_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-theverge_10-1) Webster, Andrew (26 March 2015). ["After a hit game, indie developers struggle to replicate success"](https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/26/8294765/indie-game-one-hit-wonder-minecraft-threes). *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Martin, Liam (12 February 2013). ["*Journey* dominates BAFTA Video Game Awards 2013 nominations"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a458149/journey-dominates-bafta-video-game-awards-2013-nominations.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy). Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Nichols, Scott (5 March 2013). ["*Journey*, *Dishonored* dominate BAFTA Video Game Awards 2013"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a463537/journey-dishonored-dominate-bafta-video-game-awards-2013.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy). Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-forbes_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-forbes_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-forbes_13-2) Griffiths, Daniel Nye (6 August 2014). ["With 1m Sales For *Thomas Was Alone*, Mike Bithell Launches *Volume* Trailer Ahead of E3"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnyegriffiths/2014/06/08/with-1m-sales-for-thomas-was-alone-bithell-launches-volume-trailer-ahead-of-e3). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Conditt, Jessica (4 October 2016). ["'Great British Bake Off' host stars in a Daydream VR game"](https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/04/sue-perkins-daydream-vr-game-bithell-earthshape/). *[Engadget](/source/Engadget)*. Retrieved 17 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Yin-Poole, Wesley (17 August 2017). ["Thomas Was Alone dev's new game is a modern take on the text adventure"](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-17-thomas-was-alone-devs-new-game-is-a-modern-take-on-the-text-adventure). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. Retrieved 17 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Yin-Poole, Wesley (22 May 2018). ["Mike Bithell follows up Subsurface Circular with Quarantine Circular"](https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-05-22-mike-bithell-follows-up-subsurface-circular-with-quarantine-circular). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. Retrieved 22 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Capel, Chris (8 May 2019). ["John Wick Hex is an official strategy game heading to the Epic store"](https://www.pcgamesn.com/john-wick-hex-epic). *[PCGamesN](/source/PCGamesN)*. Retrieved 8 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Stefan L (20 March 2015). ["Interview: Mike Bithell On *Volume*, A Fear Of Failure & Our Virtual Reality Future"](http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2015/03/20/interview-mike-bithell-on-volume-a-fear-of-failure-our-virtual-reality-future/). TheSixthAxis. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Bithell, Mike (23 March 2015). ["Mike Bithell's golden rules for media"](http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-03-23-mike-bithells-golden-rules-for-media). *[GamesIndustry](/source/GamesIndustry)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Hawkins, Zoe (26 March 2015). ["Cadence launches Noodle Starter and Mike Bithell tells indies how to deal with the press"](http://www.lazygamer.net/general-news/cadence-launches-noodle-starter-and-mike-bithell-tells-indies-how-to-deal-with-the-press/). *Lazygamer*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Hurley, Leon (17 July 2014). ["Mike Bithell on Why Indie Isn't Indie Anymore"](http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/07/17/mike-bithell-changing-face-indie). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Clarke, Russell (15 May 2014). ["Mike Bithell: Indies, stay off of mobile until you've "built a name for yourself""](http://www.pocketgamer.biz/interview/59063/mike-bithell-indies-stay-off-mobile-until-youve-built-a-name-for-yourself/). *[Pocket Gamer](/source/Pocket_Gamer)*. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Phillips, Tom (8 August 2025). ["Tron: Catalyst Developer Bithell Games Makes 'Majority' of Its Full-Time Staff Redundant After Failing to Secure New Project"](https://www.ign.com/articles/tron-catalyst-developer-bithell-games-makes-majority-of-its-full-time-staff-redundant-after-failing-to-secure-new-project). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Phillips, Tom (22 September 2020). ["The Solitaire Conspiracy is a mix of cards and espionage"](https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-22-the-solitaire-conspiracy-is-a-mix-of-cards-and-espionage). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. Retrieved 22 September 2020.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Mike Bithell](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mike_Bithell).

- [Official website](http://www.mikebithellgames.com)

- [Mike Bithell](https://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,416791/) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames)

v t e Mike Bithell Thomas Was Alone Volume Subsurface Circular Quarantine Circular John Wick Hex The Solitaire Conspiracy Tron: Identity Tron: Catalyst

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mike Bithell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bithell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bithell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.