Jumpship

Jumpship is an independent game development studio based in Guildford, United Kingdom, founded in 2017 by animator and filmmaker Chris Olsen and former Playdead CEO Dino Patti. The studio was established to explore new frontiers in interactive storytelling, with a focus on emotionally resonant, visually striking experiences that challenge traditional game design conventions.

Founding and Vision

Jumpship was born from Olsen’s early work on Somerville, a cinematic sci-fi adventure that began as a solo prototype in 2014. After returning to the UK, Olsen partnered with Patti to form a studio that could bring the project to life. Their shared vision emphasized narrative depth, minimalist design, and a commitment to treating players with respect through meaningful, immersive storytelling.

Somerville and Debut

The studio’s debut title, Somerville, launched on November 15, 2022 for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series XS, and later on August 31, 2023 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The game blends side-scrolling traversal with cinematic presentation and environmental storytelling, drawing comparisons to Inside and Limbo—a lineage reinforced by Patti’s earlier work at Playdead. Somerville explores themes of family, survival, and alien invasion through a wordless, emotionally charged journey.

Acquisition and Future

On the day of Somerville’s release, Jumpship was acquired by Thunderful Group, a move that positioned the studio for long-term creative support while maintaining its independent spirit. With a small, focused team and a clear artistic identity, Jumpship continues to develop original IPs that push the boundaries of interactive media.