BUCK Blends Gameplay with Emotional Storytelling with Introduction of BUCK Games

BUCK, the award-winning design company best known for its animation work onSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Love, Death + Robots, and Secret Level, officially launches its new game development studio, BUCK Games. The studio debuts alongside its latest project, The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, a brand-new mobile game prequel for Netflix’s recently released  film The Electric State, directed by the Russo Brothers through their production  company, AGBO. 

The Electric State: Kid Cosmo is a bite-sized adventure puzzler, blending gameplay with emotional storytelling to create an immersive experience. The prequel is available on iOS and Android today, exclusively to Netflix members!

“Developing a game connected to a larger world was a new challenge, and demanded adaptability and ingenuity from our team,” said Michael Highland, creative director of BUCK Games. “We set out with an ambitious, unconventional vision, and our partners pushed us to make it the best version possible.”

The Electric State: Kid Cosmo is the second collaboration between BUCK Games and creative audio studio Antfood. Their first original game together, Let’s! Revolution!, marked BUCK’s first foray into game development. Available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, this whimsical roguelite riffed onMinesweeper as a foundation, adding in turn-based tactics, rule-breaking characters, chill music, and in keeping with the studio’s pedigree, gorgeous hand-drawn animation.

Critics loved it: Let’s! Revolution! boasts a Metacritic score of 88 (PC) and garnered numerous accolades, including nominations for Best Character Animation at the Annie Awards 2024,  Strategy Game of the Year at the Thinky Awards 2024, SXSW Sydney 2023’s Game of the Year, and Excellence in Audio at the Independent Games Festival 2024.

Outside of gaming, BUCK has been serving up award-winning animation and design for more than 20 years with notable clients including Apple, Microsoft, FedEx, Spotify, Google, Airbnb, DoorDash, Amazon, and Pepsi. In the gaming sphere, BUCK has created animated trailers and artwork for VALORANT, League of Legends, Genshin Impact, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Asgard’s Wrath II, FIFA 23, andBrawl Stars.

Now, BUCK commits to the gaming space with the launch of BUCK Games, building on the team’s previous game development experience. Combining its signature creative flair with high-discipline execution, BUCK Games will craft artful, tightly focused games designed to spark curiosity and capture the ‘impeccable vibes’ that define BUCK across all mediums.

"The Electric State: Kid Cosmo and Let’s! Revolution! are such different but equally special games" said Marla Anyomi, production director for BUCK Games. "We aren't looking to settle into one genre or style of game. Our strength is in the range of what BUCK artists, animators,  and designers are capable of when working with the team of seasoned developers at BUCK Games."

Check out more about BUCK Games, and Electric State: Kid Cosmo available on  mobile via iOS and Android.