Lego Digital Play Expands Manchester Hub With ForthStar Games Acquisition
Lego Digital Play has acquired mobile developer ForthStar Games to strengthen its internal production capabilities. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the Manchester-based studio joins the recently established digital division as part of a broader strategy to develop and own authentic Lego-branded experiences specifically tailored for the global mobile gaming market.
Context from Industry Pulse
The acquisition of ForthStar Games highlights a strategic shift toward internalizing game development within the Lego ecosystem. By launching Lego Digital Play in 2025 and rapidly acquiring UK-based talent like Offroad Games and ForthStar, the organization is moving away from a pure licensing model toward a first-party publishing structure. This trend of consolidation and internal growth occurs as other major players face volatility. For instance, GamesIndustry.biz recently reported the closure of Reflector Entertainment by Bandai Namco and the cancellation of live-service projects like Fairgames by PlayStation. Lego Digital Play is leveraging the expertise of industry veterans who previously facilitated billion-dollar exits to establish a stable, owned presence on mobile platforms.
"We started ForthStar as a studio to really continue to push for excellence. All that experience we built up over that time frame really came to fruition in ForthStar."
The acquisition of ForthStar Games marks a significant expansion for Lego Digital Play, a company established in 2025 as an entity separate from the main Lego Group. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the deal follows the 2026 purchase of Offroad Games, another UK-based mobile studio founded by former Space Ape Games staff. These moves signal a concerted effort by the brand to secure wholly owned digital assets rather than relying solely on third-party licensing.
ForthStar Games brings a leadership team with a high-profile track record in the mobile sector. Founders Paul Gouge and Alex Rigby previously launched several successful ventures, most notably Playdemic, which Electronic Arts purchased for 1.4 billion dollars in 2021. As GamesIndustry.biz notes, ForthStar emerged from stealth mode in 2023 with ten million dollars in funding from Griffin Game Partners and a workforce largely comprised of Playdemic veterans.
Under the new organizational structure, the studio will remain in its Manchester headquarters. Paul Gouge is set to transition into the role of head of games at Lego Digital Play, while Alex Rigby will maintain his leadership position at ForthStar. The studio currently employs 30 people, more than doubling its initial headcount of 14 staff members at the time of its formation in 2024.
Lego Digital Play leadership emphasized that the mobile platform represents the most effective way to reach a diverse global audience across all age groups. By integrating ForthStar, the company aims to elevate the presence of the Lego brand in a competitive digital landscape. GamesIndustry.biz reports that the overarching goal for the new division is to create unique gaming experiences that are fully managed and owned by the Lego organization.
The Industry Pulse Bottom Line
Lego Digital Play is aggressively building a Manchester-centered mobile powerhouse. By acquiring proven talent from Playdemic and Space Ape, the company is prioritizing full ownership of its digital future over traditional third-party licensing deals.