Team17 Digital

Team17 Digital

Team17 Digital was founded in 1990 by Debbie Bestwick, initially as a developer of the Worms series that became a global phenomenon. The company went public on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market in 2018, with a market capitalisation fluctuating around £300m. Bestwick stepped down as CEO in 2023, with Michael Pattison assuming the role; the firm continues to operate from its Wakefield headquarters. The firm operates as a publisher and developer of independent video games, covering genres from action and strategy to role-playing and simulation. Team17 has published over 110 games, including internally developed titles like Worms and externally partnered hits such as Overcooked!, The Escapists, DREDGE, and Hell Let Loose. The company is platform-agnostic, releasing on Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Epic Games Store. Its geographic footprint is primarily UK-based, with studios in Wakefield, Manchester, and Nottingham. Team17 employs around 200 people across its three UK offices. In 2023, the firm acquired the indie game label Astragon Entertainment for €100m, expanding its portfolio into simulation titles. The company also operates a philanthropic arm, Team17 Foundation, which supports charitable initiatives, though financial details are not publicly disclosed. Team17's distinct structure as a publicly-listed indie games publisher that still retains the ethos of a developer-centric label sets it apart from larger AAA studios. Its business model relies on revenue sharing with independent developers, offering them publishing support in exchange for a cut of sales—a model that allows it to scale without owning all IP.