Tom Stone, former Managing Director of TT Games (LEGO® Star Wars™; LEGO® Batman™; LEGO® Harry Potter™), announced the launch of Second Star Games, a new UK-based game development and publishing studio.
Stone has assembled a team of seasoned industry veterans, including many key members of the former LEGO games development team, bringing a wealth of expertise in creating AAA titles based on some of the world’s most iconic licences and IPs.
Setting its sights on becoming one of the industry’s foremost developers and publishers, the studio’s first title will be Neverland: A Peter Pan Adventure – a fantasy-adventure game set within the rich and magical world of Neverland. Further details of the game will be announced soon.
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), who have a perpetual right to remuneration for adaptations of Peter Pan, and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity), which has developed the new world of Neverland, have granted Second Star Games a long-term, worldwide, exclusive licence to create a suite of video games around the IP. GOSH Charity will receive royalties from all sales to raise vital funds for the seriously ill children from across the UK who are treated at GOSH, helping to give them the best chance and childhood possible.
J. M. Barrie donated the rights to Peter Pan to GOSH in 1929, after he was asked to sit on a committee by the hospital, but he thought of a more interesting way to make a difference. Two months later, the hospital was stunned to learn that he had donated the rights to his much-loved play and novel Peter Pan and Wendy, or ‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up’, to them. It is widely acclaimed as among the finest works of children’s literature ever written.
“We are delighted to be working with expert partners, Second Star Games, to bring the magical world of Neverland to life for a generation of young gamers.
Neverland, a place of adventure and imagination, provides an amazing backdrop to what we know will be a first-class game.
What’s more, every game sold will help raise funds to support seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. We can’t wait for this next chapter in our Neverland journey.”
GOSH Charity’s Senior Brand Licensing Manager, Jenny Martin
Grahame ‘Chily’ Chilton will be the lead investor in Second Star. Chily has a long association with both Tom and GOSH Charity: he was an early investor in the first LEGO Star Wars game in 2005, and both Chily and Tom served on a fundraising board of GOSH Charity between 2014 and 2016.
Looking for new talent
Second Star Games is seeking new talent for various roles, including game director, lead game designer, mid-level designer, background artist, technical artist, and VFX artist. You can apply for the roles from the Second Star Games’ official website.
