Patrick O’Luanaigh, the founder of prominent virtual reality studio nDreams, has established a new independent entertainment company named Atmospheric. The venture is described as a creative enterprise focused on developing original intellectual property across both video games and music.
O’Luanaigh confirmed the launch of Atmospheric on October XX, marking a return to independent game development after two decades leading nDreams. He stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer at nDreams in May 2025, ending a 19-year tenure that saw the studio become a leading name in VR gaming.
The departure occurred approximately 18 months after the acquisition of nDreams by Swedish holding company Aonic for roughly $110 million. Prior to founding nDreams in 2007, O’Luanaigh held senior management positions at major game publishers including SCi Entertainment, Eidos Interactive, and Codemasters.
What Atmospheric Aims to Create
Atmospheric is structured not as a traditional game development studio but as an “independent entertainment company.” According to the company’s official description, its primary mission will be to generate original intellectual property, or IP, that spans multiple media verticals, specifically video games and recorded music.
The announcement suggests a focus on world-building and transmedia storytelling, where a single fictional universe could be explored through interactive software and audio releases. O’Luanaigh has not yet provided specific details on the first project under the Atmospheric banner but indicated that the company intends to operate with a high degree of creative autonomy under its independent structure.
Background and Industry Context
O’Luanaigh is an established figure in the British video game industry. His work at SCi Entertainment and Eidos involved overseeing major franchises such as Tomb Raider and Hitman, while his tenure at Codemasters involved driving development on racing titles like the Colin McRae Rally series.
His decision to found nDreams in 2007 predated the modern resurgence of virtual reality. The studio eventually became a key player in the VR space with titles such as Phantom: Covert Ops, Fracked, and the Ghostbusters VR experience. nDreams was acquired by Aonic in late 2023 as part of a broader consolidation trend within the industry.
The creation of Atmospheric comes at a time when the games industry continues to face significant changes, including widespread layoffs and studio closures. O’Luanaigh’s move to launch a new independent company suggests a contrarian confidence in the viability of small, agile creative teams focused on original properties rather than licensed or established brands.
Music and Games Crossover
A notable aspect of Atmospheric’s stated mission is the explicit inclusion of music alongside games as a core part of its intellectual property strategy. This crossover reflects a growing trend where video game soundtracks and original game-related music releases have become significant commercial and cultural products.
By combining both game development and music production under one umbrella, O’Luanaigh aims to create synergies between the two disciplines. The company could potentially produce original scores, artist collaborations, or audio-driven experiences that complement its interactive works.
Atmospheric has launched a website at atmospheric.group but has not posted any job listings or detailed project timelines as of this report.
What Comes Next
Industry observers will be watching for the first official project announcement from Atmospheric, which will provide concrete evidence of the company’s transmedia strategy in action. O’Luanaigh’s track record with nDreams and his deep industry connections are expected to help the new venture attract talent and potentially publishing partners.
The company is expected to scale its operations gradually, likely starting with a small core team before expanding based on project milestones and funding requirements. No formal release windows or platforms have been confirmed for any upcoming titles.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
