ANTSTREAM ARCADE
Anstream Arcade’s CEO, Steve Cottam, tells Matt Broughton how this retro platform went from a friends’ hobby to a truly global operation
T
ell us all about Antstream… Antstream Arcade is a cloud-based streaming platform dedicated to retro gaming. We have built a space where players
can instantly access thousands of classic games without the need to download files or own original hardware. By layering social elements like global leaderboards, tournaments, and unique “challenges” directly on top of original game code, we have designed an experience that appeals to both nostalgic gamers and the modern social player.
How and when did this come into being? What is now a professional global service started as a hobby project for us back in 2012. Originally just myself and two friends, it has now evolved into a global operation supported by a dedicated team of 25 people with support from investors like Tencent, Creative UK, Atari and Salica.
What need is it satisfying? On a consumer level, we satisfy the need for “Snackable Gaming.” We feed the increasing hunger for short-form content. Whether it is busy adults who lack time for 50-hour episodic games, or younger audiences competing for bragging rights with their friends, we allow users to jump in and experience iconic games, from consoles to the arcades, entirely without friction. At an industry level, we are playing a major role in game
preservation. By keeping these icons alive in a format relevant to modern gamers, we bridge the gap between ageing hardware and current technology. We ensure the “genius” of original ideas becomes a socially connected experience for a new generation.
What’s on offer as we speak? We are widely accessible on almost any screen, including PC, consoles, mobile, Smart TVs, and even Mercedes-Benz cars. Our current offering includes: A Massive Library: Over a thousand licensed retro titles, from global
icons like Pac-Man and Star Wars to 8-bit classics like Manic Miner that shaped the industry.
“I love seeing people’s eyes light up when they encounter Antstream”
46 | MCV/DEVELOP May/June 2026 Weekly Content & Tournaments: We provide a constantly evolving
experience with weekly content drops and weekly global, cross- platform tournaments. Constant Engagement: Over 700 curated challenges ensure there is always something new to achieve.
What kind of response has it had since it first launched? The response has been incredible, attracting partnerships with some of the biggest names in gaming. I love seeing people’s eyes light up when they encounter Antstream. While the mass market naturally gravitates toward known IPs like Pac Man, Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble and Star Wars, our challenge system has been a massive success in driving players to discover and fall in love with “hidden gems” they might otherwise have never played.
What’s the ‘big news’ on Antstream right now? Antstream also powers Xbox Retro Classics in partnership with Microsoft. Following that success that saw millions of new players joining the service in a matter of weeks, we are now opening our proprietary technology to other IP owners. We are providing a turnkey solution for partners looking to monetise their extensive back- catalogue IP, positioning us as the primary technology bridge for the entire retro industry.
What can we expect from you across 2026 and beyond? 2026 is a milestone year for us as we continue to evolve. We are expanding the service to reach more users both online and offline, introducing new ways to play that remove friction for new players, and for selected IPs we are launching downloadable collector game packs for our partners’ legacies. We are also implementing advanced algorithms to make our massive library easier to navigate than ever. We are a quintessential British success story that has been broadly
overlooked. As the only game streaming company in the UK and one of only a handful globally, we are proving that Britain is a world leader in cloud technology. It truly blows my mind that a team of this size can run two global live gaming services. It is a massive testament to the skills within the team and the proprietary technology they have built. We are a rapidly growing service with millions of players, and that is something we should be waving the British flag for on the world stage.
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