An independent studio space and hub for game makers in Belfast.
What is The Loading Dock?
The Loading Dock is a studio space and hub for indie game developers where they can share knowledge, work on their own projects and find inspiration among like-minded folks.
Founded and led by the team at Saltstone Studios, The Loading Dock provides an affordable co-working environment dedicated entirely to game development. It is inspired by Belfast’s artist-led studio culture of affordable, creative workspaces. Our mission is to cultivate a home base for game creators to help each other thrive.
There are no formal classes or incubator programs here; instead, we offer a friendly peer-to-peer environment where everyone can learn and grow together. By keeping costs low and spirits high, The Loading Dock lowers the barriers for small teams to focus on making great games while being part of a larger creative family.
Current Members
What do we offer?
Affordable Workspace
Low-cost desk space so indie devs can work together in a dedicated space without breaking the bank.
Collaborative Community
Get feedback and advice from fellow members, and an opportunity to team up and support each other's projects.
Events & Jams
Gather together for informal game jams, demo playtests, show-and-tell sessions, and social events.
Our Team
James Bruce
Facilities
Thomas Hislop
Memberships
Jess Campbell
Marketing
Caolan McKendry
Business Development
Become a member
All our spaces are currently allocated, so we aren't accepting new members at the moment.
Great things happen when creative people share a space, and we wish we could open our doors to all who are interested. However, due to high demand and limited space, our membership is currently at full capacity. We have a capped number of desks and studios, all of which are occupied by our founding members at this time.
Interested in joining us in the future? We’re flattered! While applications are currently closed, we encourage you to stay in touch. We hope to expand or have spots open up as projects evolve. In the meantime, you can support our mission by following the progress of our members and by participating in NI's wider game development meetups and events. The Loading Dock is just one part of a vibrant ecosystem of game creators in NI, and the more it grows, the more opportunities there will be for spaces like ours. Check out the NI Game Dev Network for more information!
Contact Us
For general inquiries about The Loading Dock or to register your interest for future membership opportunities, contact Thomas Hislop, Memberships Manager via email at thomas@saltstonestudios.com. We’re always happy to connect with fellow developers, potential collaborators, and supporters of the game development community.
(Please note: as a private co-working collective, visits are by appointment only, but we’re always open to discussing our space and mission!)
The Loading Dock
50A Stranmillis Embankment
Belfast
County Antrim
BT9 5FL
Northern Ireland
50A Stranmillis Embankment
Belfast
County Antrim
BT9 5FL
Northern Ireland
Copyright © 2025 · All rights reserved
The Loading Dock is an initiative of Saltstone Studios Ltd, a company based in Northern Ireland (NI634766).
The Loading Dock is an initiative of Saltstone Studios Ltd, a company based in Northern Ireland (NI634766).