Independent Development
Ongoing coverage on Independent Development.
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"What's the harm in asking?" – Dlala Studios on taking a big swing to get comedy legend Bob Mortimer for the upcoming game Murals
Dlala Studios discusses the surprising process of securing British comedy legend Bob Mortimer for their upcoming game, Murals. The studio founder shares how they took a chance by asking Mortimer's representatives, leading to him voicing the character 'Magic Dave'. The interview also touches on Dlala's journey from work-for-hire on titles like Battletoads and Disney Illusion Island to self-publishing their own original IP, Murals, highlighting the risks and rewards of independent development.
Xbox Speaks Out After Double Fine Lays Off 25 Percent of Staff in Transition to Independent Status
Double Fine, known for the game Psychonauts, has laid off 25.6% of its staff. This comes three weeks after Xbox revealed its own significant restructuring efforts. The studio is transitioning to an independent status.
Alpha Dog Games founders reacquire studio from Microsoft following 2024 closure
Alpha Dog Games has reacquired its studio from Microsoft, returning to independent ownership after being shut down by Microsoft in 2024. Co-founder Shawn Woods expressed gratitude for Microsoft's cooperation during the transition and excitement for the studio's future, though specific projects are not yet being discussed. The Nova Scotia-based studio, founded in 2012 and previously acquired by Bethesda in 2019, is exploring new opportunities with partners.
Days after leaving Xbox, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games broadcasts that it's looking for work
Following its separation from Microsoft's Xbox division due to layoffs, Compulsion Games is actively seeking new collaboration opportunities with other studios. The developer of South of Midnight and We Happy Few aims to leverage its award-winning talent to support external projects while retaining ownership of its existing IPs.
Following Xbox split, South of Midnight devs Compulsion are looking for work as a co-development or support studio
Following layoffs from Xbox, Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight and We Happy Few, is now operating as an independent developer. The company is actively seeking co-development or support roles with other studios to secure funding and leverage its team's talent while working on its next original game.
After split with Xbox, Hitman developer IO will "continue to develop" Project Fantasy independently, but they're closing their Istanbul Studio
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its fantasy project, Project Fantasy, after a split with Xbox. The developer will now fund and develop the game independently, but has closed its Istanbul studio as part of a restructuring to focus on its core titles. This move allows IO Interactive to maintain its status as an independent AAA developer and publisher.
Hitman and 007 First Light dev IO Interactive regains "full ownership" of its mysterious online RPG project after Xbox reportedly pulled funding
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its online RPG Project Fantasy after Xbox reportedly pulled its funding. The developer will now independently fund and continue development of the project, while also making staffing changes and closing its Istanbul studio to focus on its core internal titles.
Rockfish Games lands €8m grant as Germany boosts game industry support
Rockfish Games, developer of the Everspace series, has received an €8 million grant from the German government's expanded €125 million games fund. This funding, the largest awarded from the program, will support the development of the next Everspace title and aims to maintain the studio's independence. CEO Michael Schade highlighted the program's positive impact on the German games industry and its support for AA studios.
