FuturLab
AcquiredBrighton, GB Β· Founded 2003 Β· 112 employees on LinkedIn Β· 1 known investors
FuturLab is a remote-first video game studio that develops relaxing, low-intensity games, best known for its hit title PowerWash Simulator. The studio focuses on creating soothing gaming experiences for players seeking to unwind.
Also known as Futurlab Β· FUTURLAB LIMITED
Investors Β· 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026FuturLab is a video game studio based in Brighton, UK, that has been developing games since 2003. The company began as a two-person outfit making flash games and has since grown to a team of more than 100 people. Its catalogue includes the Velocity series, Coconut Dodge, Surge, Beats Slider, Fuel Tiracas, Tiny Trax, Mini-Mech Mayhem, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind and, most prominently, PowerWash Simulator, along with its mobile and VR versions and the sequel PowerWash Simulator 2.
Following the reception of PowerWash Simulator, the studio repositioned around what it calls "frictionless fun" or "games designed to soothe" β low-intensity, low-friction titles built around a sense of satisfaction and completion rather than short-term gratification. Current releases include a STAR WARS Pack for PowerWash Simulator, in which the player is a Class Five cleaning droid, P0-W2, set during the events of the original Star Wars trilogy.
The legal entity, FUTURLAB LIMITED, was incorporated on 12 November 2003 and is registered at Preston Park House, South Road, Brighton, East Sussex, under SIC code 62011 (ready-made interactive leisure and entertainment software development). In April 2024 press coverage reported that the studio had become a subsidiary of mobile publisher Miniclip.
Founding story
The studio was established in 2003 as a two-person outfit creating flash games before expanding into console, PC, mobile and VR development.
Business model
FuturLab develops and releases video games for console, PC, mobile and VR platforms, including paid content packs and sequels for its flagship PowerWash Simulator franchise. It has also received public grant funding through the UK Games Fund. Since 2024 it operates as a subsidiary within the Miniclip Group.
Revenue derives from the sale of video games and add-on content packs across console, PC, mobile and VR platforms, supplemented by subscription service distribution and public grant funding from the UK Games Fund.
Traction
PowerWash Simulator left Early Access in July 2022 and reached 3 million players within months, with a gradual rollout to additional platforms and subscription services. The studio has grown from two people at founding to more than 100 staff.
Latest developments
The STAR WARS Pack for PowerWash Simulator has been released, with accompanying developer blogs, and PowerWash Simulator 2 has launched with a charity donation of one day's proceeds reported in July 2026.
βΈFull profile β market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Following the success of PowerWash Simulator, the studio has been characterised by Miniclip's CEO as a genre leader and pioneer in the market for "games that soothe." It has been a finalist at the BAFTAs, Golden Joysticks and the Steam Awards and has won awards from Develop:Star, TIGA, Ukie, the Spawnies and MCV/DEVELOP, including Best Marketing Campaign (Develop:Star 2025), Best UK Developer (Ukie 2025) and Best Indie Studio (MCV/Develop) in 2023 and 2024.
FuturLab focuses on a deliberately narrow design philosophy β "less intense, but never mild" games that prioritise the player's feeling of satisfaction and a clear sense of completion over difficulty or intensity. Operationally, it maintains a strict no-crunch policy and people-first employment practices including healthcare cover, extended parental leave, access to therapy, and dedicated days for volunteering and personal development.
Technology
The studio develops interactive entertainment software across console, PC, mobile and VR platforms. Its UK Games Fund Round 4 project was described as featuring a new control scheme combined with advanced technology.
Go-to-market
Games are distributed across console, PC, mobile and VR platforms and subscription services, supported by a direct community presence via Discord and other social channels, a newsletter, developer blogs and licensed brand collaborations such as the STAR WARS Pack and Peaky Blinders: Mastermind.
Players seeking relaxing, low-intensity gaming experiences across console, PC, mobile and VR, including audiences reached through subscription services.
Geography
Headquartered in Brighton, UK, with a registered office at Preston Park House, South Road, Brighton, East Sussex. Since 2020 the studio has operated as remote-friendly, hiring talent across the UK.
History
FuturLab was founded in 2003, starting as a two-person studio making flash games, and was incorporated as FUTURLAB LIMITED on 12 November 2003. Over two decades it expanded to a team of more than 100 and released titles including the Velocity series before PowerWash Simulator, which left Early Access in July 2022 and reached 3 million players within months. In 2020 the studio shifted to a remote-friendly model while retaining its Brighton base. The company also received UK Games Fund backing (Round 4) for an unannounced project. In March 2024 a deal was finalised under which FuturLab became a subsidiary of Miniclip, with CEO Kirsty Rigden remaining in charge and operations unchanged.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources β announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Timeline Β· 11
launches, deals, and filingsThe studio announced that a day's proceeds from PowerWash Simulator 2 would be donated to charity.
A STAR WARS content pack in which the player is P0-W2, a Class Five cleaning droid, set during the events of the original Star Wars trilogy.
FuturLab became a subsidiary of mobile publisher Miniclip; the studio said the deal was finalised in March 2024 and would help bring Miniclip into the console/PC space. CEO Kirsty Rigden continues to run the studio and operations remain the same.
PowerWash Simulator exited Early Access in July 2022 and subsequently rolled out to additional systems and subscription services.
In 2020 FuturLab became a remote-friendly studio while keeping its Brighton office, enabling hiring across the UK.
FuturLab was listed as a funded project in UK Games Fund Round 4 for an unannounced project described as a departure from its previous games, featuring a new control scheme and advanced technology.
Private limited company number 04961083 incorporated in the UK on 12 November 2003; registered office Preston Park House, South Road, Brighton; SIC 62011.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
Legal entities Β· 1
corporate structureCompanies House Β· registry record
View on Companies House β- Registered name
- FUTURLAB LIMITED
- Company number
- 04961083
- Status
- Active
- Company type
- Private limited company
- Incorporated
- 12 Nov 2003
- Registered office
- Preston Park House, South Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 6SB
- Nature of business (SIC)
- 62011 β Ready-made interactive leisure and entertainment software development
- Accounts
- last made up to 31 Dec 2025 Β· next due 30 Sept 2027
- Confirmation statement
- last made up to 11 Nov 2025 Β· next due 25 Nov 2026
Current officers Β· 5
- Stefan Beurier β director, appointed 26 Mar 2024
- Saad Choudri β director, appointed 26 Mar 2024
- Christopher Augustine Mehers β director, appointed 26 Mar 2024
- Kirsty Louise Rigden β director, appointed 18 Jul 2019
- Robert Edward Aymer Small β director, appointed 26 Mar 2024
Source: Companies House public register Β· retrieved 5 Aug 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- FuturLabfuturlab.co.uk Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does FuturLab do?
- Brighton-based, remote-friendly game studio behind PowerWash Simulator and the Velocity series, now part of Miniclip.
- Who are FuturLab's investors?
- FuturLab's investors include Creative UK.
- Where is FuturLab headquartered?
- FuturLab is headquartered in Brighton, GB.