Square Enix has become a 20 percent shareholder in Derby-based studio Bulkhead Interactive, the developer behind The Turing Test and Battalion 1994.

In addition to Square Enix Collective continuing its collaboration with Bulkhead Interactive on Battalion 1994 throughout its Early Access period and into its full launch in early 2019, Bulkhead Interactive will also begin work on creating a new intellectual property for Square Enix. More information will be announced later in development.

“I’m really excited that we’re taking this step to deepen our partnership with the team at Bulkhead,” said Square Enix director of indie publishing and Collective program head Phil Elliott. “From the first meeting we had back in 2015 it was clear to me that the team had a great deal of potential, and we’re really looking forward to helping them continue to unlock that in the years to come.”

Bulkhead Interactive CEO Joe Brammer added, “It’s been a great experience working with Phil and the team at Square Enix. They’ve always been supportive, looking out for the interests of us as well as the games we’ve worked on, and this opportunity to build on that relationship is a great next step for the studio as we expand and search for new talent to join our team.”

Phil Elliot will join the Bulkhead Interactive board of directors as the representative for Square Enix.