We've been a bit quiet about the new venture, haven't we: that's not a royal we, there are other founders too, and I can finally talk about it as the last one has both resigned and worked out his notice period, so we're all on board and up and running.
Feels so good!
Makielab is what I left Channel 4 Education to do: it's a toys and games company, working from one dataset. And now we are four: Jo Roach, Luke Petre and Sulka Haro. Here's the full PR:
Makielab announces final founder lineup; Sulka Haro joins from Sulake (Habbo Hotel)
Makielab, a new digital toys & games company based in Shoreditch, London, is announcing its lineup of founders as the last founder joins from Sulake, the makers of Habbo Hotel.
Makielab is building a system of social & mobile games that create customisable toys and collectibles from the same dataset. Founded by ALICE TAYLOR (previously commissioning editor at Channel 4 Education) after 3 years commissioning award-winning and innovative games and media for the UK broadcaster. Makielab will take elements from the four founders’ passions and blend them into an exciting new system of play, 3D printed toys, and customisable content.
The three co-founders are:
LUKE PETRE (CTO), built the tools backend for both Little Big Planet 1 & 2, and joins Makielab from Bitminion, a Facebook games developer. Luke brings a deep understanding of user generated content, as well as extensive tools and technical experience from both LBP and his MMO development background (Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online).JO ROACH (COO), cross-media director and talent scout, with award-winning playful and social media experiences under her belt for Somethin’ Else and Channel 4 (Routes, SuperMe, Linkem, Skins & Misfits).
SULKA HARO (CDO), Lead Design from Sulake, the maker of global virtual world phenomenon with over 200 million registered players. Sulka brings extensive knowledge of virtual goods, virtual economics and metrics, as well as design experience in creating products for massive online audiences (Habbo Hotel, Virtual Magic Kingdom).
Makielab’s first (as yet unannounced) product will be a dolls & action figures property, including games and customisation tools, and is due to ALPHA Q4 2011.
www.makielab.com
Twitter: @makielab
So that's us! We'll be blogging the progress and prototyping over at the site, and tweeting progress and stuff too.
We're always on the lookout for people who want to join in, too, and we're looking for investment. So - comment, follow, CVs, money, friendings, coffee - throw it at us :-). We're going to need love and luck: it's a tough job and a tough pitch too over here. Happily, we just got the fantastic news that we're down to the shortlist for the TSB Tech City launchpad, so now we've just got to get down to the ten who get the investment. Fingers x'd!
Well done for being shortlisted for TSB Tech City launchpad and all best wishes for next stage - hope you get investment. When you get MakieLab to the interactive/customisable dolls stage, be interested to talk to you about using haptics for intuitive 3D interface! Alice, please pass on an invitation to Cory to coffee, hands-on demo of haptic 3D modelling and chat about 3D printing when he is at Edinburgh Book Festival doing his bit in August. (Anarkik3D is based in Edinburgh). Be good to meet you too.
Posted by: AnarkyMarie | June 28, 2011 at 16:43
Wooot! Good luck, great to hear some more news on this, it was all a bit quiet and I've been wondering what's happening. Exciting times.
Posted by: Elsa | June 28, 2011 at 17:00
Congratulations! Looking forward to see your future projects!
Posted by: Brinstar | June 30, 2011 at 07:31
Good luck to your new business venture and Congratulations!
Posted by: Collectibles | August 14, 2011 at 16:34
Thanks for sending good information..When you get MakieLab to the interactive customization dolls stage, be interested to talk to you about using haptics for intuitive 3D interface..
Posted by: android developers | August 19, 2011 at 13:41