The directors present the strategic report for the period ended 30 June 2026.
Sumo Digital (Genus) Limited (the "Company") is engaged in the development of video games for third party publishers.
The Company has performed satisfactorily in 2026 and this has continued since the balance sheet date.
Despite global macro-economic pressures impacting technology industries and the gaming sector, the number of players continues to increase year on year, with major new title launches performing strongly and mobile gaming continuing to generate significant users and revenues. The directors expect that this underlying growth in the video games market will continue in the long-term.
The Company continues to be well placed to take advantage of the continuing demand for high quality services and content.
Governance and risk management framework
The Company's immediate parent undertaking is Sumo Digital Limited. The Board of the parent undertaking, Sumo Digital Limited, is responsible for the Company's risk management and for ensuring that robust processes are in place to identify, manage and report risks that threaten the business objectives of the Company. These include Financial, Operational and Regulatory Compliance risks. The principal feature of the Company's risk management regime is a strong control environment, which is founded on appropriate organisational structure for planning, executing, controlling, and monitoring business operations. It includes clearly defined responsibilities and accountabilities.
Control procedures
The Company seeks to continuously review and improve policies and procedures and the control framework in place. Investment is being made into the automation of key financial and resourcing processes.
Other control procedures include: budgetary systems and management controls to manage financial risk, timely and accurate management information in respect of key performance measures; and procedures to ensure complete and accurate accounting, which are regularly reviewed by the Board.
The principal risks and uncertainties are:
Talent
The continuing operations of Sumo Group Limited and it's subsidiaries (“the Group") is dependent on recruiting and retaining talented people in the long-term, thus recruitment and retention of key staff is considered a principal risk. An inability to do so could potentially impact the Company’s borrowing of staff from the Group and so is also a principal risk to the Company.
In February 2026 the Group announced a restructuring exercise, in response to ongoing challenges faced by the industry, aligning headcount to it’s opportunity pipeline. Despite this, the Group remains well placed to deliver the resources required to support the staffing needs of the Company through existing resources.
Industry risk
The global video games sector faces challenges with a number of studio closures and layoffs across the industry in recent periods. This increases the risk to the Company of contract cancellations and non-renewals.
The Company continues to borrow staff from the Group as required in order to deliver on it's development contracts, allowing the Company to balance it's cost base to mitigate any contract changes.
Customers
The risk of project cancellation and customer confidence is managed by providing high quality products on time and to customer specifications. Projects are managed through milestones and progress against these is reported to the operating board on a monthly basis and weekly at project level.
IT security and stability
A breach of IT security, unauthorised copying or software piracy could result in loss of business and reputational damage for the Company, as well as associated negative financial impacts to revenue and costs. Due to the Company's high dependence on its IT systems and infrastructure, any failure, disruption or damage to the network or systems could lead to significant business interruption. Disruption and inability to conduct "business as usual" could lead to reputational damage, financial losses and the inability of the Company to generate revenues going forward. Project work is protected by copy protection technology and robust security testing, including penetration testing, and disaster recovery plans are in place. The Group has an experienced and dedicated IT team, and uses external consultants where needed, to ensure a good balance of skills and experience in the team.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2026.
The results for the period are set out on page 8.
Ordinary dividends were settled amounting to £nil (31 December 2025: £nil). The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The auditor, Saffery Audit (UK) LLP, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
United Kingdom company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial period. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We have audited the financial statements of Sumo Digital (Genus) Limited (the 'Company') for the period ended 30 June 2026 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the Company include The Companies Act 2006, and UK Tax legislation, specifically legislation relating to creative industry tax credits.
Audit response to risks identified
We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the Company’s records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the Company’s policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance. We have reviewed management’s assessment of how the Company, and production, comply with the relevant laws and regulations governing access to the creative industry tax credits.
During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
This report is made solely to the Company’s member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s member, those matters we are required to state to the member in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of comprehensive income has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
Sumo Digital (Genus) Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 32 Jessops Riverside, Brightside Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 2RX.
The financial statements are prepared in British pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101:
the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures;
the requirements of paragraphs 91-99 of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement;
the requirements of paragraphs 10(d), 10(f), 16, 38A to 38D, 40A to 40D, 111 and 134-136 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements;
the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors;
the requirements of paragraph 17 and 18A of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures; and
the requirements in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member.
The financial statements of the Company are consolidated in the financial statements of Sumo Group Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, 32 Jessops Riverside, Brightside Lane, Sheffield, England, S9 2RX.
Revenue is generally recognised over time as the Company satisfies performance obligations by transferring the promised services to its customers. The transaction price is set out in the contract and is generally the development fee or guaranteed royalty to be received. It is recognised as the development activity takes place over time.
IFRS 13 establishes a single source of guidance for all fair value measurements. IFRS 13 does not change when an entity is required to use fair value, but rather provides guidance on how to measure fair value under IFRS when fair value is required or permitted. The Company is exempt under FRS 101 from the disclosure requirements of IFRS 13. There was no impact on the Company from the adoption of IFRS 13.
The Company recognises financial debt when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments. Financial liabilities are classified as either 'financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss' or 'other financial liabilities'.
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, trade payables and other short-term monetary liabilities, are initially measured at fair value net of transaction costs directly attributable to the issuance of the financial liability. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. For the purposes of each financial liability, interest expense includes initial transaction costs and any premium payable on redemption, as well as any interest or coupon payable while the liability is outstanding.
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the Company.
The tax charge, disclosed as noted below, represents the sum of the tax currently recoverable and deferred tax.
Reporting period
The Company has shortened its accounting period from 31 December 2026 to 30 June 2026 . The previous period was also a 6-month period, and therefore the comparative amounts presented are comparable.
In the application of the Company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows:
The key accounting estimate within the financial statements for this Company is the valuation of the VGTR and VGEC available. The estimate is based on the assessment of the value of qualifying expenditure as per HMRC legislation and guidance plus assessment of the qualification of the underlying game as eligible for the VGTR and VGEC. The video games expenditure credit is included within other debtors in the Statement of Financial Position.
During the period, a government grant in relation to the video games tax relief and expenditure credit of £711,272 (period ended 31 December 2025: £1,931,162) was receivable with respect to the costs of production for the video games the Company had developed in the period. The related production costs are included within cost of sales.
The average monthly number of persons (excluding directors) employed by the Company during the period was nil (period ended 31 December 2025: nil).
The charge for the period can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows:
Additionally, the Company did not recognise deferred income tax assets of £15,817 (31 December 2025: £nil) relating to the step 2 notional tax deduction with respect to the current period Video Game Expenditure Credit.
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under FRS 101 from disclosing transactions entered into between two or more members of the group, where any subsidiary undertaking which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by a member of that group.