Gareth Owens is the founder of Wise Monkey Entertainment, a studio creating narrative-driven, comedic murder mystery games. His love of detective stories began early, inspired by shows such as Columbo, Jonathan Creek, and Sherlock Holmes, and influenced by growing up with two detective parents. By the age of 12, Gareth was already writing his own mysteries, a passion that eventually evolved into film scripts and, later, interactive storytelling.
After years working professionally in film and television — including projects with Aardman Animations, Pinewood Studios, the BBC, ITV, and Hasbro — Gareth decided to build something of his own. Having written more than 100 murder mystery stories, often as a ghost-writer, he desired more creative control and an opportunity to put his name to work that felt personal and meaningful. That decision led to the creation of Wise Monkey Entertainment.
Gareth’s work blends humour with thoughtful storytelling, often creating games that are comedy-focused on the surface but packed with clever twists and layered narratives underneath. His current project, No Stone Unturned, features an amnesiac squirrel detective and combines cinematic storytelling with interactive game play (reflecting Gareth’s lifelong passion for mysteries and narrative puzzles).
Creative Works as a Creative Hub
Gareth’s team currently includes five in-office members, supported by additional collaborators, including voice actors, two remote team members in Sweden, and artists based in Indonesia. Creative Works plays a central role in the day-to-day operations of Wise Monkey Entertainment. The team frequently uses the meeting rooms for focused discussions and sound-sensitive work, while creative content is filmed both on-site (sometimes with green screen setups) and in the Digital Futures studio, where voice recording and video production take place.
For Gareth, the practical side of the space is just as important as the creative environment. Simple room booking, reliable and speedy Wi-Fi, secure access, and the flexibility for team members to come and go smoothly all help the studio run efficiently. As he puts it, everything “just works” (which means fewer distractions and more time spent creating).
A Creative and Functional Workspace
Gareth’s office is a creative space in its own right. He has painted cloud murals inspired by Dreamland, a location from one of Wise Monkey’s games. Hidden within the clouds is a small character, reflecting the playful spirit of the studio’s storytelling. The office also features a large whiteboard, a TV for team demos, and a bean-to-cup coffee machine supplied with locally roasted beans.
Each day begins with the team gathering for coffee around a shared area affectionately known as the mug tree. Weekly game demos allow the team to play through their projects as users would experience them, taking notes and discussing improvements. These sessions often include shared meals, turning testing and review into a collaborative, team-building experience.
For Gareth, Creative Works provides both practical facilities and a supportive environment, enabling the team to focus on high-quality, imaginative work. “It is run well — to the point where the things I would normally notice, I don’t even think about,” he notes. He also values the location, just a 10-minute walk from home and close to wetlands and green spaces, which allows him to step away from screens during breaks, as well as the surrounding cafés and atmosphere.
Gareth (standing at the back, on the right) and his team, based at Creative Works
Community, Collaboration, and Growth
Gareth values the sense of community at Creative Works. The location and well-connected environment make it easy for the team to draw inspiration from their surroundings. Wise Monkey Entertainment has already collaborated with fellow Creative Works members, Slick Casting (they used their photo shoot setup as a backdrop). Gareth is open to future collaborations, particularly with video editing teams.
Wise Monkey Entertainment’s creative success is reflected in awards such as Indie Game Developer of the Year (2025) and recognition from PAX Rising USA (one of 12 selected games). Gareth’s long-term goal of achieving a BAFTA in the Video Games category demonstrates his ongoing ambition. Creative Works provides the perfect foundation for this growth, offering a space where playful innovation and focused production can thrive side by side.
