AI

Airship Interactive


Company Overview



Airship Interactive is a leading name in the global gaming industry, renowned for its advanced game art and design services. Originally founded as Shinelabs Ltd, Airship Interactive has grown into a top-tier external art and co-development studio primarily serving AAA game developers. The company offers a full range of services including concept art, 3D modeling, animation, and asset integration. Known for high quality and dependability, Airship Interactive has collaborated with some of the biggest studios around the world, contributing to over 150 major gaming titles.

Key Services and Projects



Airship Interactive delivers comprehensive end-to-end services, which include:

  • Technical Art: Real-time VFX, lighting, visual development, and material creation.

  • Project Scaling: Pipeline design, 3D scanning, outsource management, and expert team building.

  • 2D & Design: Advanced AI design, environment and character design, concept and key art.

  • Hair & Groom: Specialized in cards and strands through proprietary hair tools.

  • 3D Artwork: Creation of characters, creatures, environments, key props, and hard surfaces.


The company has worked on significant gaming projects like _Baldur's Gate III_, _Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order_, _Forza Horizon 4_, and _Metroid Prime Remastered_.

Core Values and Culture



Airship Interactive adheres to principles of Growth, Innovation, Passion, Ethics, Quality, and Reliability. These values are fundamental to their mission of delivering exceptional work. Their client-first approach, facilitated by a team-focused strategy, ensures that the skills development and personal well-being of employees are prioritized, creating a harmonious and productive workplace.

Leadership Team



  • Joe Harford: Founder and CEO, steering the company for 13 years with expertise in AI and game development. Harford is dedicated to maintaining high quality and reliability, while ensuring an enjoyable client experience.

  • Viki Freeman: Chief Strategy Officer, recognized for her transformational leadership and scaling expertise. Freeman upholds high standards and advocates for a people-first vision within the company.

  • Andy Wood: Chairman, who brings extensive experience from the gaming and entertainment sectors, having previously influenced major franchises.


Financial Insights



Airship Interactive has participated in significant funding activities, with the latest round occurring in July 2022. This funding underscores the company's strategic growth plans and commitment to expanding its service offerings within the gaming industry.

Recent Developments



The company is actively involved in collaborative projects and plays a prominent role as a headline sponsor for industry events like the Women in Games Awards 2024. Airship recently expanded to a larger headquarters at Alderley Park, which is expected to generate over 100 new jobs, illustrating their ongoing growth and commitment to innovation in game development.

Strategic Partnerships



Airship Interactive maintains strategic partnerships with leading industry players such as Lucid Games, Larian Studios, and Supermassive Games. These collaborations highlight Airship's prowess in delivering cutting-edge game art solutions.

Competitor Overview



Airship Interactive operates in a competitive landscape in the mobile marketing and customer engagement arena, with key competitors including CleverTap, Salesforce, Adobe, Braze, Oracle, Upland, IBM, MoEngage, Flurry Analytics, Iterable, Branch, Kochava, and Vibes Media.

Competitor Profiles



CleverTap



  • Offering: A robust customer engagement platform focused on personalized mobile app interactions, offering features like push notifications, email campaigns, and in-app messaging driven by an AI-powered engine.

  • Industries Served: Food tech, fintech, media, and eCommerce.

  • Pricing & Support: Three pricing plans starting at $75, with customer support via email and phone.

  • Unique Features: AI-driven personalization and comprehensive analytics.


Braze



  • Offering: Provides a powerful platform for managing customer relationships through multi-channel messaging on mobile, web, and email.

  • Industries Served: Retail, financial services, travel, and more.

  • Scalability: Supports over 2,000 global brands, managing extensive data operations with over 6.2 billion monthly active users.

  • Unique Approach: Employs the Braze Predictive Suite for in-depth consumer behavior analysis and personalized marketing.


Vibes Media



  • Offering: Specializes in mobile marketing through SMS, MMS, push notifications, and mobile wallet solutions.

  • Industries Served: Retail, finance, hospitality, and automotive.

  • Integration and Reach: Integrates with major CRM and eCommerce systems, and boasts significant advertising resources with real-world examples.

  • Customer Support & Pricing: Subscription-based pricing adapted to business needs.


Iterable



  • Offering: Cross-channel marketing solutions that unify marketing efforts with tools like push notifications, SMS, and email.

  • Industries Served: SaaS, eCommerce, travel, and entertainment.

  • Integrations: Extensive CRM and eCommerce integrations with a comprehensive API.

  • Unique Selling Point: Real-time content delivery through the Catalog feature.


PassKit



  • Offering: Expert in digital wallet services, enabling businesses to create and manage loyalty cards and passes.

  • Industries Served: Hospitality, retail, and services.

  • Pricing: Scalable pricing with a 45-day free trial.

  • Strengths: Focus on enhancing customer loyalty with strong CRM and point-of-sale integrations.


Strategic Insights



  • Market Positioning: Given the intense competition in multi-channel engagement and personalized marketing, these areas are crucial for maintaining customer loyalty.

  • Differentiation: Airship Interactive can capitalize on its strengths in digital wallet solutions and mobile engagement to better position itself in niche market segments.

  • Collaborative Opportunities: Partnering with complementary technology providers can enhance Airship's services, particularly in automation and advanced analytics, providing an edge over competitors.