VR developer and publisher nDreams has acquired Shooty Fruity dev Near Light

nDreams has acuired Brighton-based studio and long-time collaborator, Near Light. Near Light developed the nDreams published titles Shooty Fruity and Perfect, in addition to recently pioneering an AR experience for one of the world’s leading toy brands. The studio is currently developing an unannounced VR title to be published by nDreams.

Paul Mottram and Ben Hebb co-founded Near Light in 2016, having previously collaborated in key roles at Wide Games, Kuju Brighton, and Zoë Mode. The pair have worked on a number of innovative titles that championed new ways to play, including games in the EyeToy Play, SingStar, and Guitar Hero series.

Near Light joins nDreams’ three existing development studios – nDreams Studio (based in Farnborough), nDreams Studio Elevation, and nDreams Studio Orbital

Following the $35 million investment in nDreams by the Aonic Group at the start of the year, this is nDreams first acquisition.

“We are hugely excited to be deepening nDreams’ relationship with Near Light after many years of fruitful partnerships,” said nDreams CDO, Tom Gillo. “Acquiring the studio will allow us to collaborate even more closely on medium-defining games, not to mention bringing Ben and Paul’s 20+ years of industry experience into the nDreams family to strengthen our own expertise.”

“Going all the way back to Perfect and Shooty Fruity, our collaborations with nDreams have been really enjoyable,” added Ben Hebb, co-founder of Near Light. “The feeling of working on great projects with a group of people you get on with is a special, unique thing, and an absolute privilege. We’re thrilled to be working with nDreams to create titles that leave a powerful legacy."