Game Funding
Ongoing coverage on Game Funding.
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Develop:Brighton showed the UK games industry is done with hand-wringing and is determined to save itself | Opinion
The UK games industry, facing significant layoffs and funding challenges, is shifting from hand-wringing to proactive self-preservation through increased collaboration. Developers are exploring regional hubs, studio collectives, and cross-industry opportunities to ensure resilience and sustainability in a difficult economic climate. While government and private funding initiatives show some promise, securing early-stage prototype funding remains a critical hurdle.
'A new industry with a new identity:' How Canadian devs are faring in 2026
The Canadian games industry is undergoing a transformation, moving away from a reliance on triple-A development and tax incentives towards a more resilient model focused on indie studios and community collaboration. Despite recent layoffs and studio closures, there is optimism for a new identity centered on smaller, agile teams that can validate market potential through evidence like wishlists and community engagement, supported by systems like the Canadian Media Fund.
"The live-action Smurfs movie paid for itself entirely through product placement" - Former Dragon Age boss suggests games can be funded another way
Former Dragon Age and Anthem executive producer Mark Darrah suggests that live service games could be funded through product placement, a model more common in film. He argues this approach could be more sustainable than current monetization strategies and prevent the overemphasis on certain genres. Darrah highlights the Smurfs movie as an example of a project fully funded by product placement.
Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era publisher starts $100M fund for ‘promising indie games’
Hooded Horse, the co-publisher of the successful early access title Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, has announced a $100 million fund dedicated to supporting promising indie games. The company, which has seen its own title sell over 500,000 copies, will manage the fund and has already invested in several titles within its portfolio, including ARPGs and a bullet-hell shooter.
The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer's indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because "it's a particularly tough time for raising game funds"
Indie game developer Ivy Road, founded by creators of The Stanley Parable, Gone Home, and Minecraft, is shutting down due to difficulties in securing game funding. The studio had been working on a vehicular combat game called Engine Angel, but the project was canceled as funding failed to materialize.
Outersloth shares contract terms and game funding lessons
Outersloth, the developer behind Among Us, has shared insights into game funding and contract terms based on its experience investing in 24 projects over four years. The company has committed nearly $20 million to these ventures, offering lessons learned from its investment strategy.
Outersloth shares contract terms and game funding lessons
The author expresses optimism for Xbox's future under new leadership, noting the strong game library available on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. They discuss past perceived lack of support from Xbox compared to PlayStation and suggest that Xbox's openness to PC games could be a significant advantage going forward. The piece also touches on perceived hypocrisy in gaming media regarding console versus PC gaming.
Outersloth shares contract terms and game funding lessons for sickos
Outersloth, the funding arm of Among Us developer Innersloth, has shared details about its game funding contracts and business model. The company aims to invest $25 million over five years into indie projects, focusing on sustainability and breaking even rather than infinite growth. Key terms include a 50 percent recoup for Outersloth, a 15 percent post-recoup share, and a fixed seven-year contract term, emphasizing a partnership approach with developers.
Secret Mode busted out of the Tencent-owned Sumo Group last year. Now what?
Secret Mode, an indie publisher owned by Sumo Group (which is in turn owned by Tencent), has successfully gained independence with the help of investment firm Emona Capital. This move came after Sumo Group announced a shift to exclusively focus on development services. Secret Mode's CEO Ed Blincoe and chief publishing officer James Schall detail the rapid acquisition process and the publisher's subsequent growth, including new hires and ambitious projects like Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
