Screen Burn (company)
Jon McKellan and Omar Khan established No Code on the 19th of August 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. McKellan had previously directed DLC packs for Alien: Isolation before seeking to work with smaller teams. He brought in his long-time friend Omar as a collaborator to start their new studio. Their first project involved porting an iOS game called Lub vs Dub to Android platforms. This title was originally released under the name Futuro, which also served as the band name for Jon, Omar, and designer Graeme. One year later, they created Super Arc Light for Android and iOS with publisher All 4 Games. The game received nominations for two TIGA awards.
No Code released a short game jam title called The House Abandon on itch.io during 2016. The team built this game over a weekend for Ludum Dare 36. McKellan stated that they submitted the final version just 15 seconds before the deadline after 64 hours of development. The game received positive reviews and quickly became viral among players. That same year, the studio secured a publishing deal with Devolver Digital. Devolver went on to publish Stories Untold, which included The House Abandon as its first chapter. Critics praised the narrative design and unique approach to storytelling within the game.
Work began on a sci-fi thriller titled Observation in partnership with PlayStation and Devolver Digital. The game launched in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. It won Best Game BAFTA in Scotland and took home the award for Best British Game at the 2020 BAFTA Game Awards. The project showcased innovative gameplay mechanics combined with strong narrative elements. Players experienced a tense atmosphere while exploring a space station setting through the eyes of an AI system. The success of Observation solidified No Code's reputation as a serious contender in the industry.
After several years of radio silence during the COVID-19 pandemic, October 2022 brought news that No Code was developing Silent Hill: Townfall. Annapurna Interactive joined the project alongside Konami Digital Entertainment to bring this new chapter to life. The announcement signaled a return to major franchise work after years of smaller indie titles. Fans expressed excitement about seeing the studio tackle such a legendary horror IP again. Development continued under the banner of collaboration between the Scottish
team and Japanese publishers.
In July 2025, No Code officially changed its name to Screen Burn Interactive Limited. The rebrand confirmed the continuation of Silent Hill: Townfall's development with Annapurna Interactive and Konami. The company remains based in Glasgow while operating under its new identity. All previous projects including Observation and Stories Untold remain part of their catalog. The change reflects growth and evolution within the studio since its founding in 2015.
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Common questions
When was No Code established by Jon McKellan and Omar Khan?
Jon McKellan and Omar Khan established No Code on the 19th of August 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. The studio began operations with a focus on smaller teams after McKellan directed DLC packs for Alien: Isolation.
What game did No Code release during Ludum Dare 36 in 2016?
No Code released The House Abandon as a short game jam title during 2016. The team built this game over a weekend and submitted it just 15 seconds before the deadline after 64 hours of development.
Which awards did Observation win for No Code in 2020?
Observation won Best Game BAFTA in Scotland and took home the award for Best British Game at the 2020 BAFTA Game Awards. This sci-fi thriller launched in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.
Who are the partners developing Silent Hill Townfall for No Code?
Annapurna Interactive joined the project alongside Konami Digital Entertainment to bring Silent Hill Townfall to life. Development continued under the banner of collaboration between the Scottish team and Japanese publishers starting in October 2022.
When did No Code officially change its name to Screen Burn Interactive Limited?
In July 2025, No Code officially changed its name to Screen Burn Interactive Limited. The rebrand confirmed the continuation of Silent Hill Townfall's development with Annapurna Interactive and Konami while keeping the company based in Glasgow.