Everplay takes stake in Super Media Group, enters Bulkhead partnership

11th Dec 2025 16:36

(Sharecast News) - Everplay Group announced the acquisition of a 20% minority stake in Super Media Group for £2m on Thursday, as well as the forming of a strategic partnership with Bulkhead, the UK-based first-person shooter specialist housed within the newly created SMG consortium.

Bulkhead, known for indie FPS titles such as Battalion 1944, had been acquired from Tencent by a consortium comprising SMG, Everplay and Hiro Capital.

Founded in 2014, Bulkhead developed proprietary Unreal Engine tooling through its War Tech Framework, which Everplay said enabled faster development cycles for realistic FPS titles in a genre that remains among the largest and most dynamic in gaming.

Alongside the equity investment, Everplay would collaborate with Bulkhead on Wardogs, an Unreal Engine 5 multiplayer FPS due for PC early access in 2026 ahead of a wider multi-platform release in 2027 and to be published by Team17.

The group said it was also evaluating further co-development opportunities within Team17's Hell Let Loose franchise.

Interim executive chair Frank Sagnier said the partnership "reinforces Everplay's existing strong position within the FPS genre."

"Collaborating with the exceptional Bulkhead team secures incredible new game content, while our equity stake in SMG speaks to our commitment to a long term relationship with the studio, the FPS genre and the Hell Let Loose franchise," he added.

"The transaction is fully aligned with our focus on growing first-party IP revenues and disciplined capital deployment, while providing a highly attractive return on investment."

At 1550 GMT, shares in Everplay Group were down 0.9% at 332p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.