Game Publishing
Ongoing coverage on Game Publishing.
Latest coverage
GOG's getting into publishing in its new, post-CD-Projekt life, and it already has games on the way
GOG, now independent from CD Projekt and under original co-founder Michał Kiciński, is entering the game publishing business. In partnership with Retrovibe, which Kiciński also co-founded, GOG will support independent developers in bringing their games to PC and consoles. The initiative has already announced two titles: Cop Bastard and Project Warlock: Lost Chapters.
The Witcher "wouldn't have been possible" without BioWare, CD Projekt Red reminds fans as the RPG turns…
CD Projekt Red celebrated the 19th anniversary of the original The Witcher game, acknowledging the crucial support received from BioWare. BioWare provided CD Projekt Red with their Aurora Engine and assistance at E3, which was instrumental in the development of The Witcher. This collaboration highlights the intertwined history of the two studios, with both finding significant success in the RPG genre.
Podcast: Landfall's Rebecca Lautner on Peak's 23 million sales and looking past friendslop
Rebecca Lautner, CBO at Landfall Games, discusses the success of their game Peak, which has sold over 23 million units, and the company's philosophy of moving on to new projects. She also touches on the launch of their publishing arm, Evil Landfall, and their 'fail fast' development approach.
Ex-Dying Light lead wants to find "the next Kojima" in new role at Bloober Team publishing division
Tymon Smektala, formerly of Techland's Dying Light series, has joined Broken Mirror Games, the publishing division of Bloober Team, as executive director. He aims to discover and nurture new horror game creators, potentially finding the 'next Kojima,' and leverage Bloober Team's expertise in the genre. The division is already working on titles like Onyx: The Dark Grip for the Nintendo Switch.
No Publisher Wanted Outlast. 60 Million Players Later, The Horror Juggernaut Is Doing Just Fine.
Red Barrels' horror series Outlast, which began as a debut effort from a 10-person team with no publisher interest, has now attracted over 60 million players. The studio's founders, who left AAA studios, self-funded the first game and learned publishing on the fly, eventually finding success with the signature night-vision camera and unflinching gore. The latest entry, The Outlast Trials, has become their most successful game, embracing live-service elements while staying true to the series' core horror identity.
Fireshine Games acquires Necesse dev Fair Games, described as a "defining moment" for Danish indie studio
Fireshine Games has acquired the Danish indie studio Fair Games, the developer behind the open-world sandbox title Necesse. Fair Games founder Mads Skovgaard will continue to lead the studio, which plans to expand Necesse's support and explore additional platform ports under Fireshine's publishing expertise. The acquisition is described as a "defining moment" for Fair Games, with Fireshine's experience in the survival/crafting genre being a key factor.
Xbox doesn't need the "console wars" – it has Hideo Kojima
Xbox is strategically leveraging its partnerships with Hideo Kojima for his upcoming games OD and Physint, turning Sony's alleged cancellation of a PlayStation exclusive into a significant gain for Xbox. This move capitalizes on Kojima's star power and fan loyalty, bolstering Xbox's image amidst its own corporate restructuring and Sony's controversial shift away from physical media.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Says “I Did My Best” For Physical Release
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed his efforts to secure a physical disc release for the game, acknowledging the ongoing debate around physical media. While he personally prefers physical copies, he noted his authority was limited to game content, with publishing decisions handled by the team. Ultimately, the game will feature a single disc with opening sections, requiring a download for the full experience.
Alien Breed 35th Anniversary and the return of Commodore interview
Commodore is relaunching as a publisher, starting with the Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection. The company, which has reacquired its original trademarks, aims to preserve classic games and hardware, with plans for future publishing ventures. The Alien Breed collection features all six original games, updated controls, and extensive museum content, highlighting the importance of game preservation.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Has Some Advice For Xbox: “Pick A Lane”
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden advises Xbox to "pick a lane," suggesting the company either commit to competing with PlayStation on hardware or fully embrace its role as the world's largest game publisher. Layden points to Sega's shift to software after the Dreamcast as a precedent, noting Xbox's declining console sales and potential future as a software-only entity.
Grasshopper Manufacture Goes Independent Once More, Splits From NetEase Games
Grasshopper Manufacture, led by CEO Goichi Suda, has once again become an independent studio after splitting from NetEase Games. The move, described as amicable, allows the studio to pursue a wider variety of game styles with its signature quality. While no new projects have been announced, the company is looking towards its 30th anniversary in 2028.
Hideo Kojima's Physint isn't costing Xbox $400 million after all, with new reports suggesting the Metal Gear successor's actual budget is "significantly less"
New reports suggest that Xbox's deal for Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint is significantly less than the rumored $400 million. While Sony reportedly canceled the game, Xbox has picked it up for publishing. Despite ongoing rumors about budget concerns, sources indicate the actual cost is much lower, though still substantial for a AAA title.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox's "streamlining" is "great to see" despite cuts and layoffs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's future and praised ongoing "streamlining" efforts led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, despite recent significant layoffs and studio closures. Nadella stated his confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games, while emphasizing the need for sustainable business models to reach more players.
Tim Cain claims Vault Boy caused issues with Fallout's original publishing partner
Tim Cain revealed that the original tabletop publishing partner for Fallout, Steve Jackson Games, took issue with the mascot Vault Boy and the game's violence. This disagreement led to the deal falling through, prompting the creation of the SPECIAL system for Fallout.
Escape From Tarkov dev wants to bet on 'risky' games with its new publishing arm
Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape From Tarkov, has launched a new publishing arm called Battlestate Games Publishing. The venture aims to support "hardcore" and "risky" projects, particularly niche and indie titles, by leveraging their existing audience and experience. COO Nikita Buyanov stated the initiative is an experiment to create a centralized platform for such games, prioritizing interesting ideas over potential profits.
Hideo Kojima says Xbox had "never seen" anything like Physint, which is impressive considering it was the only publisher that didn't think his OD pitch was "crazy"
Hideo Kojima stated that Xbox was highly enthusiastic about his pitch for the new action espionage game Physint, describing it as something they had never seen before. This comes after Sony reportedly dropped the project. Kojima highlighted Xbox's technical and marketing support as crucial for the game's development, noting their existing connection through the OD project.
Escape from Tarkov dev Battlestate Games wants to publish the "risky" games that "we need right now"
Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape from Tarkov, is venturing into game publishing with a focus on risky, niche, and hardcore FPS titles that larger publishers overlook. COO Nikita Buyanov expressed a desire to support indie developers and provide a platform for unique games, viewing it as an experiment rather than a traditional business venture. The company has already received over 100 pitches and is looking for projects that align with their ethos of pushing boundaries.
Steam Week in Review: This indie publisher released 29 terrible-looking Steam games in a single day—will they make…
Indie publisher Hard Shark Games released 29 early access games on Steam in a single day, many of which appear to be asset flips using Unity templates. Despite the low quality and minimal player counts, the article suggests the publisher may still be profitable due to the low cost of Steam store pages and recoupable fees.
Physint is “The Biggest Selling Title I could Possibly Create”, Says Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima expressed shock and surprise after Sony canceled its publishing deal for his upcoming game, Physint. Despite the setback, Kojima Productions secured a new publishing deal with Xbox for Physint and continues development on the horror project OD. Kojima reflected on his long-standing relationship with Sony but acknowledged the tough times in the game industry.
Kojima Loves Sony Despite Being Blindsided by Physint Decision
Hideo Kojima stated he still respects Sony despite their decision to pull funding for his upcoming game Physint, though he admits he was blindsided. He clarified that Kojima Productions is in a healthy financial state and that Xbox will determine Physint's release platforms as its new publisher. Kojima also noted that his long-standing relationship with Sony executives has changed.
