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Two Point Studios’ Decade of Success Gave Sega a Huge Surprise Win
Two Point Studios has marked its tenth anniversary after growing from a short-term Sega contract into one of the publisher’s important first-party studios. Its survival is notable in a difficult games industry, particularly for a small developer focused on management simulations rather than blockbuster or minimalist indie games.
Founded by former Lionhead staff including Gary Carr and Ben Hymers, the studio was built around reviving the spirit of Bullfrog games such as Theme Hospital. Microsoft had previously dismissed such simulations as insufficiently lucrative, but Sega’s Searchlight programme was actively seeking smaller projects; Sega had reportedly just discussed wanting a Bullfrog-like studio when Two Point approached. Lionhead’s closure in 2016 also gave the new company access to experienced colleagues, and development on Two Point Hospital began with six people.
In short
- Two Point turned a brief Sega deal into ten years of success.
- Sega backed management games Microsoft had considered unviable.
- Lionhead’s closure helped supply the new studio’s early team.
Explained simply
Two Point Studios is a British video game developer founded by former Lionhead staff, including Gary Carr and Ben Hymers. The team set out to make management simulations in the spirit of Bullfrog classics such as Theme Hospital, where players organise and run a hospital or other complex operation.
The studio began work on Two Point Hospital with six people after Sega’s Searchlight programme showed interest in smaller projects. Its growth from a brief publishing arrangement into part of Sega’s first-party studios is notable in an industry where smaller developers can struggle to survive.