Classy Games Studios

Classy Games Studios is an independent video game development company founded by Jamie McClenaghan in 2020. With operations based in Northern Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, the studio aims to bridge the European and Middle Eastern gaming markets by creating culturally diverse and imaginative games. McClenaghan, a former teacher, transitioned into game development and established the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially to develop a gamified well-being application before shifting focus to entertainment games.

The studio's first title was "Orbital," a fast-paced game for Android that tests players' timing and decision-making skills. Its upcoming flagship project is "Silly Suspects," a first-person detective RPG with a comedic approach to the murder mystery genre, planned for an Early Access launch on Steam. This game features a dynamically generated world where players solve bizarre crimes committed by quirky characters. The business model appears to be centered on direct game sales on platforms like the Google Play Store and Steam.

In May 2025, Classy Games Studios secured an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Merak Capital and its accelerator arm, Exel by Merak. This strategic investment is intended to accelerate the development of "Silly Suspects," expand the remote-first team, and support the company's growth within the burgeoning Saudi Arabian gaming ecosystem, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. The studio emphasizes a player-first approach and a healthy work-life balance, aiming to create enjoyable, de-stressing experiences rather than addictive ones.

Keywords: independent game studio, mobile games, PC gaming, detective RPG, game development, European gaming market, Middle East gaming market, remote game development, Jamie McClenaghan, Silly Suspects, Orbital, Merak Capital, Saudi Arabia gaming, player-first games, comedic games, mystery games, Steam Early Access, Android games, cross-cultural gaming, venture capital-backed