UK based, fully independent, privately owned, no VCs, no bank debt, no sleeping partners and no skeletons in the closet.  We are unburdened, move quickly and take a flexible approach to the deals we do.

The ethos at Route 1 is to keep it simple and honest.  If we’re enthusiastic about an opportunity and believe we can make a difference, we’ll say so.  If we can’t add any value, we’ll try to suggest a suitable alternative.

Mainstream gaming is a highly dynamic space, so we’re a highly dynamic business.  Recent productions include…

• A multitude of multi-language video game hits for Ubisoft, Koch Media, Digital Chocolate, Mindscape, ZOO Games Inc, Ideas Pad and Zushi Games.
• A huge line-up of DVD releases around the world for Universal Pictures and 2entertain.
• Original TV content, design and motion graphics for the BBC.
• Consultancy to platform owners, government bodies, marketing projects and a variety of individual production services.

Our world-class production standards have also attracted the academic and medical sectors.  Collaborations with the NHS, universities and health care professionals demonstrate that innovative use of interactive media – normally reserved for the entertainment market – can successfully improve the lives and fitness of vulnerable groups.

Business Models

We produce interactive content for all formats; physical and download.  Our companies include a Nintendo developer, a Nintendo publisher, a DVD publisher, a Microsoft vendor, Apple developer and App Store vendor.

Our principal business model is to acquire rights, produce the titles and then license the finished game to a ‘major’ publisher to undertake sales, marketing and distribution.  However, we are flexible; commercial and operational models are simply a good place to start.

Occasionally, publishers or IP owners prefer to retain all rights and simply require ‘work-for-hire’ resources.  We do that too.

Big Brands

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The Cube, A Question of Sport, Wallace & Gromit, Manchester United… our speciality is third-party brands. Drawn from branding and technical backgrounds, we are highly respectful of the equity that has been built over time in major franchises. Our approach is to take an established property and transform it into an experience that:

• Adds value to the brand.
• Provides an engaging and relevant game experience.
• Takes account of the user demographic – age, gender, gaming capabilities.
• Reflects the usage occasion – single player or group.
• Takes account of location – at home or on the move.
• Delivers the optimum play duration – a quick blast or a full-on session.
• Is configured for the optimum delivery format(s) and devices – including physical and/or download.
• Reflects the most effective commercial model – paid, free, freemium.
• Provides great value on day one, yet holds back some innovations for the next edition.

Territories

We produce and release titles in English UK, English US, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish and Russian.

Our productions have been released in every major territory in the world, from Australia, New Zealand and Japan to USA and Canada, across into Western Europe, plus Russia and all the ex-Soviet states.