Ripstone

Phil Gaskell CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

I love games. Since the age of 10 it's all I ever wanted to do (except in 1986 when I wanted to be a fighter pilot), and I'm kinda banking on the prophecy that the geek will inherit the Earth! Having worked on over 50 games in my career so far, setting up Ripstone was the natural thing to do.

Today I enjoy playing games as much as I did when I was in short trousers. More so actually. But when I'm not chasing trophies on my PS3 and PS Vita you'll find me playing football with my two little boys, or walking the Lake District fells with my friends.

Leo Cubbin MANAGING DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

I've been in entertainment since 1983 when I was a fledgling music producer. In '88 I got a job at Radio City in Liverpool and 9 years later got my first games industry job at Psygnosis.

After a spell at Codemasters I joined SCEE and worked almost exclusively on LittleBigPlanet from initial concept through to launch of LBP 2. The opportunity to set up Ripstone with Phil and the founders of Optimum Releasing is the highlight of my career so far and I'm really excited about the future. I'm a super-lightweight drinker and can always be relied on to get you back to your hotel at GDC.

Donna Morton ASSISTANT MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

My career path started as a young girl sat in a cash booth at a seaside amusement arcade- while counting the cash at the end of a long shift- I realised I loved the buzz when it balanced- my passion for 'numbers' was ignited so I went back to studying. Over the years that followed I gained a wide set of skills from experience in finance, analytical, administration and management roles at both large corporate organisations and smaller independent companies before joining Ripstone.

In my spare time, I spend a lot of time with my family and also love art, theatre, music, travel, fashion and films.

Ste Griffiths SENIOR PRODUCER

I'm passionate about the work I do and love supporting talented developers to realise their ambitions. I've been lucky enough to have produced a vast softography of titles over the past 15 years including games such as Stuart Little; the BAFTA award winning Buzz! and Buzz! Junior franchises; and most recently the PlayStation Vita launch title, Super Stardust Delta.

Outside of work I'm a devoted husband and father of four. I enjoy watching films; fell walking; following Formula 1; attending church; and am a keen endurance runner completing my first marathon in 2011. I have a love of fast cars, and one day (hopefully soon) will own a Nissan GTR. Fact!

Rogan Ogden ASSISTANT PRODUCER

As long as I can remember, all I ever wanted to do in life was be part of making games. After getting one of those game related degrees, I snapped myself up a job in the Rockstar test department. Now I'm an assistant producer at Ripstone, after only 2 years, and living the dream.

In my spare time I enjoy moonlit walks along the beach and candlelight dinners. When I'm not doing those things, I love gaming and spending time with the missus (but never together). I like film too, I try to go once a week, none of that artsy fartsy stuff though I like the blockbusters!

Michelle Senior PR & MARKETING MANAGER

My first job in PR was at Disney Interactive Studios, it was a great start to my career working on franchises such as Pirates of the Caribbean, High School Musical and Lumines. I love working in the games industry and engaging with people that are passionate about what they do and the gamers that are passionate about what they play.

In my spare time I love to travel, whether it's camping somewhere in the UK or living it up in a fancy hotel in Australia. I also enjoy baking, and I write my own food blog so I'm often found cooking up a storm in my kitchen on the weekend.

Ami Langton PR & MARKETING EXECUTIVE

My games career started back in 2006, where I was employed as a cleaner at Bizarre Creations (BC). But I quickly swapped my duster for an Xbox360 pad; heading BC’s PR department under Activision Blizzard. One minute I was mopping floors and the next I was meeting Stan Lee at E3! How Cinderella ;-)

I've loved games since the days of Alex Kidd and I've been fortunate enough to work on franchises like James Bond:007, Blur, Geometry Wars and PGR, alongside some of the best talent in the industry... I still am here at Ripstone!

By day I'm a Games PR guru but by night I'm a singer; in two bands. I also love comics, Will Ferrell films and my ultimate heroine of all time is Ellen Ripley.

Mr Alfred 'Alfie' Bojangles HEAD OF BONES

This is my first role in the games industry and I think I’m doing pretty well to say I’m only a puppy! My role is to keep check of all the bones and toys in the office & to make everyone smile. I also sit in on team meetings and make sure everyone keeps focused (on me!) & keep them motivated by licking their shoes. I act as a part-time security guard for the team (when I’m not sleeping, eating or playing) & will bark at anyone that comes in the office that I’m not sure about.

In my spare time I like running, playing with toys, trying to trip people over and taking regular naps. It’s a hard life being a dog and naps are a necessity!