Warchest

Europe’s First Videogame Publisher Focusing Exclusively on Connected Experiences

London, England - April 2012 - The founders of award-winning AAA developer SPLASH DAMAGE® today announced the formation of WARCHEST™ Ltd, a brand-new Publisher of free digitally distributed games with high production values for all leading platforms.
Paul Wedgwood and Richard Jolly’s additional venture WarChest completes a troika of companies: publisher WarChest Ltd, AAA developer Splash Damage Ltd, and online operator Fireteam Ltd. Together they form a vertically integrated family of companies created to fund, develop, and operate connected games that are high quality and free, for all leading digital platforms.

“Gamers are well served by high-end console games, but sometimes over-charged by mid-tier titles, or under-served by low-quality free-to-play games that unfairly exploit the player.” said Richard Jolly, CCO of WarChest, “We believe gamers deserve better, and that’s why WarChest is exclusively focussed on publishing games that are AAA and free.”

WarChest’s comprehensive and innovative strategy and business model replace the overhead of boxed games - manufacturing, physical distribution, retail partnerships, and hit-weekend-driven marketing - instead investing in higher production values, white-hat telemetry and analytics to gauge player demand, and post-launch support to deliver ongoing content tailored to it. This strategy improves game quality and customer service with great connected game experiences for gamers.

“Gamers should be free to switch devices at will without leaving their favourite game universe and friends behind. Our strategy delivers meaningful experiences that contribute to player engagement and advancement, irrespective of their physical location,” said Paul Wedgwood, CEO of WarChest. “For WarChest’s games, our goal is connectedness – you might battle your friends via your smartphone or tablet in a turn-based tactics game during your commute, connect with them on your PC once you’re home, sneak into their base in their absence while playing on your console, and then share cool technology with them from your desktop browser at work.”

Among the WarChest titles in development at Splash Damage Ltd are multiplayer titles for iOS, PC-only, and consoles. The first, RAD Soldiers™, referred to internally as ‘’Guns with Friends” is coming to iPods, iPhones, and iPads in June.

To learn more and reserve your player name, visit www.warchestgames.com!

About WarChest Ltd
Based in London, England, WarChest™ Ltd is a Publisher of free, digitally distributed, games with high production values for all leading platforms. Founded by successful video-game directors and entrepreneurs Paul Wedgwood (@PaulWedgwood) and Richard Jolly, together responsible for nine-figure publishing revenues and more than 300 awards and nominations for AAA development. WarChest aims to demonstrate a profound commitment to customer service and attract a huge, loyal, and highly engaged fan base. WarChest is backed with a significant investment by Paul Wedgwood. For more information about WarChest, visit www.warchestgames.com.

About Splash Damage Ltd
Based in London, England, Splash Damage® Ltd is the studio behind the worldwide #1 best-seller BRINK™ for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and PC. Splash Damage also created the acclaimed Enemy Territory franchise for id Software, including the world’s first free-to-play shooter Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory™ and its PC sequel, the UK and US #1 hit Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars™. Splash Damage has won over 300 awards and nominations around the world. It achieved 'Best Independent Developer' at the Develop Awards, and was listed in The Guardian's 'TechMedia Invest 100'. Founded by Paul Wedgwood (@PaulWedgwood) in 2001, the company is currently working on RAD Soldiers and unannounced projects. For more information about Splash Damage, visit www.splashdamage.com.

About Fireteam Ltd
Established in 2011, Fireteam™ Ltd is an independent online service provider based in London, England, focused on building the tools and technology to power connected experiences for PC, console, and mobile games. The company was formed by Splash Damage’s Technical Director Arnout van Meer, now CTO of Fireteam, Studio Director Stephen Gaffney, now CEO, and IT Manager Benjamin Hopkinson, now in charge of Infrastructure, Support and Operations. Fireteam is backed with a significant investment by video game director and entrepreneur Paul Wedgwood. More information about Fireteam and its founders is available at fireteam.net.