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London / Case File 204

We Bring The Magic to Single-Player Open Worlds

Criminal Games is founded by experienced former developers from world-leading AAA game studio Rockstar North. Our team includes talent who previously worked at Epic Games, TT Games, Build A Rocket Boy and others. Individually we have helped shape some of the most iconic franchises in gaming Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Call of Duty, Fortnite, LEGO and more. We specialize in crafting high quality, single‑player open worlds built with purpose that play well. No excess. No clutter. Just pure design, engineering, ownership and intent.

small senior team Real ownership open-world design
100+ Years combined
Many AAA worlds shipped
100% Ownership mindset

Dossier

Criminal Games Ltd.

Classified
  • Origins: Rockstar North alum
  • Specialism: Missions, systems & world building
  • Method: Small crew, high ownership
  • Reputation: We bring the magic

The Firm

So… who are we?

First things first, we make games. That’s what we do, and we love it.

But we’re also a small team of experienced developers who care about single-player open-world games. Many of us worked at Rockstar North on GTA IV, GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and GTA Online Heists, and now we’re using everything we’ve learned to build our own games and help other studios do the same.

Being a small team means we can move fast, think boldly, and get things done without the usual red tape. Years of experience working on some of the biggest open-world games gives us a perspective most people don’t get. It helps us solve tricky problems and make games that are fun, interesting, and full of life.

We’re proud of the work we’ve done, but we’re even more excited about what’s next. Whether we’re helping studios, making our own games, or giving developers a chance to take real ownership, the goal is the same: make games people enjoy and remember.

We work hard, but we work together. Our team is fair, honest, and driven by the same goal: making games that play well and have a spark to them. When you work with us, you’re not just making a game, you’re shaping a world.

Job 1

For Studios

Work with a small, senior team that brings decades of open-world expertise to your project, delivering high quality, playable systems and worlds without the overhead of a large studio.

  • 100+ years of proven experience delivering AAA titles
  • Senior developers who have shipped iconic projects from concept to launch
  • Specialists in Unreal Engine 5, across both design and engineering disciplines
  • A team trained at the world’s most successful studios, bringing elite craft and insight
  • Experts at refining workflows to unlock a game’s full creative and technical potential
  • Battle‑tested problem solvers who thrive under pressure and tight deadlines
  • A partner that values transparency, collaboration and results over buzzwords
Job 2

For Developers

Join a team where your ideas matter, your work has real ownership, and your contributions shape worlds that players will remember.

  • Join a highly skilled team of single‑player open world experts
  • Work in a tight knit studio with no unnecessary layers of management to slow you down.
  • Own your content, with freedom to learn, experiment and directly shape the games we build
  • Every team member designs real features, makes real decisions and leaves their own personal mark on the final product
  • A studio built around people. Where talent is valued, standards are high and creativity is taken seriously
  • Grow alongside industry veterans while building portfolio‑defining projects
  • Be part of a culture that prizes innovation, accountability and respect

The crew

Our Experts

Experienced developers. No hand-holding required. No nonsense delivered.

Senior developer portrait
Mission experts Objective Strategists
Verified
Producer portrait
UE5 specialists World Builders
Cleared
Designer portrait
Systems master Core Architect
Class A
Narrative designer portrait
Gameplay crew Fun Engineers
Marked
Creative director portrait
Rendering gangster Pixel Slayers
Approved

The brag

Games In Our Team’s History

From Rockstar classics like GTA IV, GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 to countless others, our team members have previously shaped some of the most unforgettable experiences in gaming in their past roles. Where they have designed functionality, gameplay systems and missions that helped define these worlds, adding lore, depth and magic that players are still uncovering and discussing today. Every mission was hand built from the ground up, refined and iterated until launch, ensuring they became the moments fans remember most.

Beyond Rockstar, our team members have also contributed to Call of Duty, Fortnite, LEGO and more in their previous employment. With expertise spanning design, engineering and workflow optimization, we bring exceptional craft to every project. Whether it’s building mechanics, streamlining pipelines or pushing gameplay innovation forward.

Games we're most proud of:

01

GTA

Our team members who previously worked at Rockstar North, contributed to the development of Rockstar's most iconic open world franchise.

Sandbox
02

Call of Duty

Our team includes former Activision talent that refined workflows on a globally recognized franchise known for its polished gameplay.

Shooter
03

RDR 2

Individuals on our team with past experience of working at Rockstar North, helped develop one of the most beautiful and immersive games.

Immersive

The Safe

Safehouse Lock

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Make Contact

Ready to talk?

We are open to negotiation depending on the job. Bring your brief and we will bring the magic.

Signal jobs@criminalgames.com services@criminalgames.com
Location Edinburgh, UK
Availability Select engagements only
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