Leadership
The Founders
Soul Kitchen is led by two people who've spent a combined 60+ years in the games industry and still find it genuinely exciting. They've shipped a lot of titles, worked with a lot of talented people, and picked up a thing or two along the way.
James Hursthouse
CEO & Co-Founder
James brings 25+ years at the intersection of games, technology, and business. He has led companies across the full stack — from startup to scale — and has spent the last decade immersed in the future of interactive entertainment, XR, and AI-driven content.
A connector and builder by nature, James has an instinct for where the market is going before it gets there. At Soul Kitchen, he sets the vision, leads investor relations, and drives the studio acquisition strategy.
Joe Bonar
Head of Studio & Co-Founder
Joe has been making games since 1987 — and his fingerprints are on over 150 titles. He is one of the most experienced hands-on studio leaders in the industry, with credits spanning console blockbusters, mobile hits, and everything in between.
At Soul Kitchen, Joe runs the studio — overseeing production, creative direction, and the AI pipeline that makes it all possible. Where others see constraints, Joe sees the game.
Previously: Unity Technologies · EA · Criterion Games · Roadhouse Interactive · Truly Social · Fire-Point
"We've been cooking in this industry long enough to know what makes a great game. Now we have the tools to make them faster, smarter, and with more soul than ever before."
— James & Joe, Soul Kitchen Games