Smoothwheel

Smoothwheel is a British independent video game development studio based in London, England. Founded in 2011 by former employees of Rockstar Games, including former lead programmer James O’Donoghue and former designer James O’Brien, the studio is known for its work on the *L.A. Noire* series and other notable titles.

The studio initially gained recognition for its contributions to *L.A. Noire* (2011), a crime drama game developed by Team Bondi but published by Rockstar Games. Smoothwheel handled key aspects of the game’s development, including the facial animation system, which allowed for highly expressive and realistic character performances. This technology later became a hallmark of their work.

Following its success with *L.A. Noire*, Smoothwheel developed *L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files* (2017), an expanded version of the original game featuring additional content and enhanced visuals. The studio also contributed to *L.A. Noire: The Case of the Silvered Sword* (2014), a standalone episode set in the same universe.

Beyond *L.A. Noire*, Smoothwheel has worked on other projects, though its output has been relatively limited compared to larger studios. The company has explored new technologies, such as virtual reality, and has experimented with narrative-driven experiences. However, it has not released any major titles outside of the *L.A. Noire* franchise since its VR expansion.

Smoothwheel’s approach to game development emphasizes realism, particularly in facial animation and storytelling. The studio’s work has been praised for its attention to detail, though its smaller size has limited its broader impact in the industry. As of recent years, the company has remained active but has not announced any new major projects, leaving its future direction somewhat uncertain.