Doublesix

Doublesix was a British video-game development studio associated with Kuju Entertainment. The studio emerged from the development team responsible for Geometry Wars: Galaxies, a fast-paced arcade shooter released for Nintendo DS and Wii. Its creation reflected the expansion of Kuju's portfolio beyond conventional contract development into smaller, digitally distributed games and original intellectual properties. The studio attracted early industry attention soon after its formation. It was recognized by Develop as the Best New UK Studio in 2008, and Geometry Wars: Galaxies received a nomination in the hand-held game category at the 2009 BAFTA Games Awards. These distinctions positioned Doublesix as a notable independent-style team within the wider Kuju organization, particularly for its focus on accessible arcade design and downloadable distribution. Doublesix's best-known original release was Burn Zombie Burn!, a zombie-themed shooter built around arena survival, score chasing, and risk-reward play. The game was released through digital channels and emphasized short, replayable sessions rather than the large-scale production model associated with major retail console releases. Doublesix subsequently worked on All Zombies Must Die!, a successor to Burn Zombie Burn! that expanded the studio's zombie-action concept with additional characters, weapons, and progression systems. On 1 September 2010, Doublesix left the Kuju label and became a separate entity. The separation occurred as Kuju reorganized its studio structure and focused on several distinct development teams. After becoming independent, Doublesix worked on Strike Suit Zero, a space-combat game developed in association with Born Ready Games. The studio side of Doublesix was closed in 2012 after development work on Strike Suit Zero was handed over to Born Ready Games. Doublesix is therefore best understood as a short-lived British development brand rather than a long-running publisher or consumer-facing platform. Its historical importance lies in its contribution to the growth of downloadable console and PC games in the late 2000s and early 2010s, its connection to the Geometry Wars development lineage, and its original zombie-action releases. The available reference material does not establish a continuing corporate operation, independent ownership after 2010, a permanent headquarters, or a current product line.

Doublesix developed out of the team that created Geometry Wars: Galaxies. The studio operated within the broader Kuju Entertainment structure during the late 2000s, when Kuju maintained several geographically and creatively distinct development groups. Doublesix represented the company's interest in original, digitally distributed games, a growing segment of the market as console online stores and PC digital distribution became increasingly important. Its early association with Geometry Wars: Galaxies gave the studio a recognizable arcade-game heritage. The title built on fast, score-driven twin-stick shooter mechanics and appeared on Nintendo platforms including the Wii and Nintendo DS. Doublesix subsequently developed Burn Zombie Burn!, a stylized zombie shooter centered on arena combat and deliberate risk management. Players could increase the danger posed by zombies in order to improve scoring opportunities, giving the game a design identity based on repeat play and high-score optimization. The studio received significant recognition for a newly established team. Develop named it Best New UK Studio in 2008. Geometry Wars: Galaxies was also nominated for a hand-held game BAFTA in 2009. These acknowledgements established Doublesix as one of the more visible British teams working in downloadable and arcade-oriented games at the time. Doublesix continued its zombie-focused work with All Zombies Must Die!, described as a successor to Burn Zombie Burn!. The project retained the earlier title's action and undead themes while developing the concept into a broader game experience. The studio's work remained focused on games rather than publishing, hardware, or a large portfolio of externally owned entertainment brands. On 1 September 2010, Doublesix left the Kuju label and became a separate entity. This ended its formal position as a Kuju-branded studio, although its prior history remained closely linked to Kuju's development network. Following the separation, Doublesix was involved with Strike Suit Zero, a space-combat title. Development was ultimately handed to Born Ready Games, and the Doublesix studio side closed in 2012. The available reference material does not identify a successor brand, continuing management team, new headquarters, or an ongoing corporate operation after the closure.

• 2012

  Studio side closes

  [1]Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org

  The studio closed after development of Strike Suit Zero was handed over to Born Ready Games.

• 2010

  Becomes independent from the Kuju label

  [1]Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org

  Doublesix left the Kuju label on 1 September and became a separate entity.

• 2009

  Geometry Wars: Galaxies receives BAFTA nomination

  [1]Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org

  Geometry Wars: Galaxies received a nomination in the hand-held game category at the 2009 BAFTA Games Awards.

• 2008

  Doublesix is formed within the Kuju organization

  [1]Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org

  The studio was formed from the team that made Geometry Wars: Galaxies and operated under the Kuju label.

• 2008

  Named Best New UK Studio

  [1]Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org

  Develop recognized Doublesix as the Best New UK Studio.

A compact British game-development studio focused on digitally distributed arcade, action, and genre games, with an emphasis on replayable mechanics and original intellectual property.

• Arcade shooter

  Geometry Wars: Galaxies

  A fast-paced arcade shooter associated with the team from which Doublesix was formed. Geometry Wars: Galaxies used twin-stick shooting, geometric enemies, escalating difficulty, and score-based replayability. It was released for Nintendo DS and Wii and helped establish the team's reputation before the Doublesix brand became independent.

• Zombie action shooter

  Burn Zombie Burn!

  A downloadable zombie-themed action game and Doublesix's principal original property. Its design combined arena combat with a risk-and-reward scoring system: players could intensify the threat from burning or enraged zombies to generate higher scores. The title emphasized short sessions, arcade-style mastery, and repeat play.

• Zombie action game

  All Zombies Must Die!

  A follow-up to Burn Zombie Burn! that continued Doublesix's focus on stylized zombie action. The game expanded the earlier concept with a larger adventure framework and additional combat and progression elements. It was one of the studio's final original projects before its separation from Kuju and eventual closure.

• Space-combat game

  Strike Suit Zero

  A space-combat project associated with Doublesix after the studio became independent. Development was subsequently handed over to Born Ready Games, and the transfer preceded the closure of the Doublesix studio side in 2012.

• 2012

  Transfer of Strike Suit Zero development and studio closureOther

  Background

  Doublesix was involved in development of Strike Suit Zero during its post-Kuju period.

  Action taken

  Development was handed over to Born Ready Games, after which the Doublesix studio side was closed.

  Aftermath

  Doublesix ceased operating as a game-development studio.

  Source

• 2010

  Separation from the Kuju labelStrategy

  Background

  Doublesix had operated as a Kuju-associated studio after being formed from the Geometry Wars: Galaxies team. On 1 September 2010, the studio left the Kuju label.

  Action taken

  Doublesix became a separate entity rather than continuing as a Kuju-branded studio.

  Aftermath

  The independent period included work connected with Strike Suit Zero. The studio side later closed in 2012 after development was handed to Born Ready Games.

  Source

1. 1Kuju (company)en.wikipedia.org