Dlala Studios

Who are Dlala Studios?
Dlala Studios are a multi-award-winning, independent, game studio located in Essex. Since our inception in 2012, we have proudly established ourselves as a trusted developer for some of the biggest companies in the world, working with incredible IP. We are known for creating the games “Battletoads (2020)” and “Disney Illusion Island”.
We believe that making games at work should be just as fun as playing them at home. We operate as an employee first studio, offering flexibility to everyone across almost all areas of their work day, and building company policies around supporting the team to create the best games possible.
From the origins of starting in a garage, to creating new stories for Mickey Mouse and Friends, the last 12+ years have been a rollercoaster that we don’t plan on stepping off anytime soon.

What have you been up to in 2024?
2024 has been an eventful year for Dlala Studios. Our title, “Disney Illusion Island”, was released in 2023, but 2024 has seen us capping off the award season with 40+ award nominations and wins, including 2 BAFTA nominations.
We’ve followed up the successful launch of Disney Illusion Island by creating additional content, to expand upon the game, and have been lucky to be able to deliver that free to all players who have purchased the game.
2024 has also seen the studio grow to 43 team members across multiple departments, continue our work with local educational institutions and support local community events.

What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future are very simple, and it’s the mantra the company is built upon:
Make games we love, with people we love, for people to love.
Whilst sticking to this, we as a company will try to keep pushing the brand out and help educate how varied and rewarding working in the games industry can be.

Do you think Essex is a place for business? If yes, why?
Essex is very much a place for business. Immediate links to the whole of London, Kent, Suffolk etc allow Essex to be a central hub for companies to set up and expand into.
As a studio we were formed in Witham, Essex out of Aj’s parents’ garage and have continued to build the studio in the town. Witham has provided us with a great location, affordability and ties back to the community in which we came from.
It has been exciting to be part of growing Essex’s technology community and to be a leader within the gamespace of this county.Essex is an expansive and exciting county for businesses to set up from new or thrive in.

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