Cyprus-based Nice Plans Studio has secured $3 million in a funding round led by Pixeldog with $600,000 being sourced from its founders.
This latest investment will support further development of its 3v3 shooter Ricochet Squad.
It also plans to use the funding to “further expand its gameplay formula” for future titles.
The developer is currently preparing a Series A funding round “to scale Ricochet Squad and accelerate a portfolio strategy”.
“Our mission is to evolve mobile multiplayer through games built on shared foundations: physics-driven combat, reimagined controls, meaningful teamplay, and system designed for long-term engagement,” said Nice Plans Studio co-founder and CEO Roman Malakhov.
Co-founded by Malakhov and game director Dmitry Koblyk, Nice Plans Studios currently has a 21-person team.

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Submissions are now open for UK games companies to enter the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards 2025.
As with 2024’s awards, the questions reflect the challenging industry moment faced by games companies and their employees, and draw attention to subjects that really matter.
The awards are open to all games companies with offices in the UK, including developers, publishers, service companies, retail and media, and you can submit your company using this link.
The deadline for all entries is Friday, August 22. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony that will once again take place at the Royal Institute on Thursday, October 2.
The Best Places To Work Awards criteria is based on a two survey system, one for the employer to fill in (and worth 20% of the score) and the other for employees (80% of the score).
For a detailed rundown on how the awards process works, our Frequently Asked Questions and how these awards are judged, click here.
All employer data and identifiable employee information is deleted once the awards and any reports have been processed. Businesses that do not win will not be named.
Participants can receive a free report from us featuring their overall scores, and we also have benchmarking and advanced reports available for a fee.
Alongside the typical Best Places badges, we also have special awards. These are awards designed to highlight excellence in specific areas. Mirroring last year’s categories, those awards include:
The Diversity Award | Highlighting a company that is proactive in trying to improve the inclusion and diversity of their business and the wider games industry. Companies can enter here.
The CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Award | Celebrating a company that has gone above and beyond supporting international and local charities, the local community and the games business. Enter via here.
The Health & Wellbeing Award | This award is for companies that offer strong health benefits and proactively support the physical and mental wellbeing of their teams through initiatives and awareness. To participate, enter here.
The Training and Development Award | Added in 2024, this award is for companies who offer extensive training, development and educational opportunities for employees. You can enter through here.
The Education Award | Here we spotlight a business that goes the extra mile in supporting the development of the next generation of video game talent. Enter here.
The Green Award | This special award is for those companies who are guaranteeing their workplace is environmentally sustainable and are playing their part in combating climate change. You can participate here.
HR Hero | This is for a person who has gone above and beyond in looking after teams and individuals, and has made a significant impact in ensuring the games industry is a better place to work. You can submit people for this award here.
The UK ceremony will take place at The Royal Institution of Great Britain alongside our HR Summit on Thursday, October 2nd.
Amiqus, Playground Games, and Lighthouse Games have once again signed up as sponsors for the 2025 event.
“Amiqus and our G Into Gaming initiative is thrilled to once again support the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards,” says Liz Prince, business manager at Amiqus, and founder of G Into Gaming and Power Up.
“We firmly believe that a strong company culture is the bedrock for a successful game studio, and the Best Places To Work Awards play a crucial role in showcasing the companies leading the charge in fostering exceptional workplaces that nurture creativity, innovation, diversity and employee wellbeing.”
Amiqus will once again be presenting its G Into Gaming Award at the ceremony.
“We’re especially happy to once again present the G Into Gaming award, which recognises an individual for their outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion for their studio or through their own initiatives.
“Studios that prioritise building inclusive environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered are not only creating a positive and rewarding experience for their employees, but they’re also well-positioned to develop games that resonate with a wider audience and push the creative boundaries of the industry,” Prince continues.

“By recognising and celebrating these studios, the Best Places To Work Awards send a powerful message about the importance of company culture within the games industry. This, in turn, helps attract and retain the top talent our industry needs to continue creating ground-breaking games. Amiqus is proud to support these awards and the positive impact they have on our industry.”
Playground Games returns as the sponsor of the Mid-Sized Company Award.
“Each year, the GI.Biz Best Places to Work Awards highlight the talented teams and fantastic studios we have here in the UK,” says Paul Evans, director of HR & talent acquisition at Playground Games.
“It’s an honour to support the UK’s best mid-sized game studios who are not only creating amazing games but also making the UK video games industry a great place to work.”
Lighthouse Games returns to sponsor the Large Company Award.
“It’s a pleasure for Lighthouse Games to sponsor the Large Company Category Award for the third year in a row,” says Gavin Raeburn, CEO of Lighthouse Games.
“We’re proud to support the recognition of hard-working teams making a lasting contribution to the industry.”
To take part, simply click here. The deadline for all completed entries is Friday, August 22nd.
For more details, contact bestplacestowork@gamesindustry.biz. For sponsorship enquiries, contact george.corner@gamesindustry.biz.