James’ remarkable trajectory in the industry began at the age of 15 when he built a multi-million dollar online AI platform for RuneScape players. At 17 he was hired by Jagex's CEO as a Game Engine Developer and obtained a first class degree in Computer Science at Cambridge University. In 2015, he founded the self-funded Automaton Games, where the team built Deceit, a Steam game with over 15 million installs. Prior to establishing World Makers in 2020, James served as Head of Product Research at Improbable, where he contributed to ground-breaking advancements in gaming technology. Today James is focused on building visionary new multiplayer experiences with the World Makers team.

Jord's journey in the games industry began at Jagex as a tools programmer. Transitioning to become an engineer on the original Deceit team marked a pivotal moment in his career. Over time, Jord progressed from engineer to Technical Director, and eventually moved into the role of Executive Producer. Today, his main responsibilities revolve around leadership, product strategy, and engineering oversight. His educational background includes a degree in Computer Science from the University of Bath, complemented by an executive management course at the University of Cambridge. These experiences have shaped his comprehensive approach to leadership within the industry.

With over a decade of experience in the games industry and more than 15 years of software engineering expertise, Shivam has left an indelible mark. His extensive portfolio includes contributions to RuneScape, Deceit, Mavericks, and Deceit 2. Shivam's proficiency spans a broad spectrum of software engineering and development areas, including backend systems, game engine systems, gameplay engineering, animation tech, shaders, build infrastructure, and systems administration. His multifaceted skills make him a valuable asset, contributing to diverse aspects of the gaming and software development landscape.

Oliver has worked in the games industry for over 13 years. After finishing his degree in Game Design he started his career at Jagex where he worked in QA, and then as a content developer. His work encompassed both development and design of major retention and monetisation updates to RuneScape. He later left Jagex with James to work on the game design of the original Deceit. With a heavy interest in innovative game concepts that break the mould, his most recent years have been spent expanding the Deceit franchise and prototyping for our upcoming projects. An all rounder with a passion for getting sh#t done!

Joel is our Principal Gameplay Engineer with over a decade of experience shaping engaging gameplay systems. His first foray into games was in 2010 as an early contributor to botting tools for RuneScape players. A key contributor to the Deceit franchise from the start, Joel also oversaw the development of shooting mechanics and various other systems for the experimental 1000-player game Mavericks. With a background in Mathematics, Joel has also built analytics systems across multiple projects, and combines rigorous thinking with a creative flair to bring a unique edge to our team.

After a period dedicated to tree planting and newt conservation, Matt has amassed a wealth of experience in the games industry. Beginning his journey at Jagex, he spent nearly a decade contributing to RuneScape. Taking a brief detour to delve into the realm of A.I. domination, Matt found himself at Amazon, leading a large global team on experimental data-labelling tasks for the Alexa project in the era before LLMs became cool. Drawn by World Makers' vision and captivated by the team's ambitious game titles, Matt has joined the studio with enthusiasm and a passion for gaming.

Neil Roberts, an Art Director, Lead Artist, and Illustrator with over 25 years of industry expertise, is celebrated for his world-class artistic and technical skill sets. Passionate about video games, Neil excels in utilizing 2D/3D next-gen production tools. As a Freelance Artist, his illustrious career includes collaborations with Magic: The Gathering, BBC, and Fantasy Flight Games and the New York Times Best Selling Horus Heresy series from Games Workshop. Neil's impactful journey encompasses roles at Free Radical Design, Eurocom, Climax Nottingham, and Codemasters, showcasing his profound influence on iconic projects like Haze, Star Wars Battlefront 3, and Warhammer Online.

Meet Laura, our Project Manager. With over 15 years of experience in senior customer service and operations management across various industries, including roles at Jagex, Geodesys, and Alexa Data Services, she's a force to be reckoned with in the professional realm. As the mum of a lively two-year-old, she's no stranger to chaos. Yet, she navigates the challenges of parenthood with aplomb, bringing the same level of dedication and expertise to her personal life as she does to her professional endeavors. With Laura leading the charge, the World Makers team is a well-oiled machine, capable of tackling any project that comes our way. From meetings to nappy changes, Laura does it all – and she does it with style.

With a stellar 16-year career in the gaming industry, Carl has made significant strides in digital marketing and project management at renowned companies such as Jagex, Warner Bros. Games, Zynga, 2K Games, EA Games, Mythical, and Playdemic. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Carl is an avid gamer, boxer dog enthusiast, and proud season ticket holder at Tottenham. His disciplined one-can-of-coke-a-day rule reflects a unique blend of commitment and indulgence. Notably, Carl also holds an unapologetic obsession with David Beckham. With diverse interests and extensive industry knowledge, Carl is a dynamic presence in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

Meet Kai, a dynamic and self-motivated creative force whose journey in the industry began at World Makers, setting the stage for a diverse and impactful career. With a foundation in content creation cultivated through years of Twitch streaming and collaborations with AAA studios, Kai's expertise spans across various disciplines. As a former ambassador for FNATIC, his passion for esports and competitive gaming shines through, driving his commitment to fostering community engagement and promoting brands within the industry. Kai's trajectory epitomises the spirit of self-teaching and adaptability, making him a valuable asset in any creative endeavour. He continues to push boundaries and redefine the landscape of content creation.

Sophie joined the Deceit community in 2018 as a moderator. She soon found a passion for programming with one of her first projects being the Game Master Discord bot that moderates the Deceit Discord server. She has a passion for the horror genre: her final university project was a UE5 horror game built around a Python interpreter.
She began her internship at World Makers while studying her MSc Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, initially working on moderation tools and then progressing to gameplay engineering.

Mark, a seasoned 3D Environment artist, brings 14 years of expertise across various 3D domains, excelling in Augmented Reality, Visualisation, Theme design, and Virtual Reality. His extensive portfolio boasts collaborations with global clients such as Disney, ITV, Universal, MXT, and Adobe. Mark specializes in the meticulous craft of asset creation, adept environmental set dressing, and holds a particular affinity for the world of Tekken. His creative prowess and diverse skill set make him a valuable contributor to immersive projects worldwide.

With 18 months of professional game development experience and a MComp in Computer Science and Games programming from Newcastle University, Jack is a dynamic force. Outside the office, he dedicates his spare time to numerous game projects and even mastered the art of crafting a mean Salt and Pepper Chips from his stint at a Chinese Takeaway. Specialising in creating code that keeps Joel on his toes, Jack boasts the title of the greatest Deceit 2 player ever. If you dare to contest this claim, feel free to spam email Matt. Additionally, catch Jack in the office on Mondays, often bearing the marks of a weekend rugby match.

Callum is an audio designer specializing in writing electronic/orchestral hybrid scores. He boasts an impressive portfolio, having written music for several music production libraries and securing placements in numerous shows. Callum's expertise extends to a variety of events, from fashion shows to live orchestral performances. With a BSc in Music Composition and Technology for Films and Games from the University of Hertfordshire, Callum is deeply passionate about producing emotive music and sound design to accompany all forms of media. His dedication to crafting immersive auditory experiences shines through in every project he undertakes.

With an impressive 8-year tenure in game development, Kyriakos stands out as a seasoned Senior Environment Artist. He has extensive experience across industry-standard software and numerous game engines, including Unreal Engine, Unity, and CryEngine. His contributions extend to a variety of platforms, including PC and Mobile titles, with notable contributions to Deceit 2, Escape from Tarkov, Homeseek, and War Robots. Kyriakos is a 3D environment powerhouse and brings a wealth of pioneering technical approaches and creative flair to our team.