Lancashire gaming studio continuing on quest with NPIF II backing

Chorley-based independent game studio and software development company Play XD Ltd has received a £100,000 investment from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by River Capital & GC Business Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.

The investment will support the company’s growth as it develops its latest gaming title in partnership with tech giant, Meta.

Play XD, founded in 2019, has firmly established itself in the gaming industry, securing its significant development partnership with Meta in the summer of 2024.

The company’s upcoming virtual reality game, Primal Rumble ®, has already achieved key development milestones and is scheduled for launch in Q2 2026 on the Meta Quest platform.

The NPIF II investment will support the creation of nine new skilled jobs in Lancashire, including roles for producers, programmers, artists, and marketing professionals. It will also strengthen Play XD’s capability to deliver on its ambitious growth plans while maintaining its existing client relationships.

Phil Goddard, founder and creative director of Play XD, said: “This NPIF II investment from River Capital comes at a crucial time in our growth journey.

"With Meta’s backing and now River Capital’s support, we’re well-positioned to expand our team and deliver an exceptional gaming experience to a global audience while keeping our roots firmly in Lancashire.”

Jonathan Nelson, investment manager at River Capital, said: “Play XD represents the kind of innovative, forward-thinking company we’re excited to support.

"Their successful track record, combined with their recent Meta partnership, showcases the high-calibre tech talent we have in the North. This investment will help them capitalise on a significant market opportunity while creating skilled jobs in the region.”

Sue Barnard, senior manager at the British Business Bank, said: “The gaming space is ever-growing, thanks to the constant developments in technology and demand from loyal gamers.

"Play XD has used this to its advantage, securing contracts with the likes of Meta, and continuing to mark the North West as a hub for gaming talent. It’s great to see the business using NPIF II funding to expand its international reach from its Lancashire base and create nine new jobs in the process.

 The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.