Self-Publishing
Ongoing coverage on Self-Publishing.
Latest coverage
Stellar Blade 2 Isn't Being Published By Sony, And That's Great News For PC Gamers
Stellar Blade developer Shift Up has announced that Stellar Blade 2 will not be published by Sony, marking a transition to self-publishing. This move aims to allow Shift Up to better control marketing and directly communicate the IP's identity. The studio also confirmed that details on Stellar Blade 2 and its flagship title Project Spirits will be revealed this year, with a simultaneous release on PlayStation 5 and PC being considered due to the first game's strong PC sales.
Control Resonant: Remedy on the Exciting Sequel, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Self-Publishing
Remedy Entertainment is self-publishing the upcoming sequel, Control Resonant, set to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support. The game will feature a new playable character, Dylan Faden, and an expanded open-world city environment. Remedy aims to provide a seamless experience across platforms, including handheld devices.
Inkle's Jon Ingold on why self-publishing is where it's at
Inkle co-founder Jon Ingold argues that self-publishing offers greater freedom and control over intellectual property, despite potential benefits from publishers like marketing and distribution. Ingold highlights Inkle's success with titles like 80 Days and TR-49, emphasizing the ability to experiment with game design and pricing without publisher interference. While acknowledging the marketing advantages publishers can offer, Ingold ultimately advocates for developers to maintain ownership and flexibility.
PEOPLE CAN FLY GROUP ACQUIRES COOLDOWN GAMES BRAND, PUBLISHING RIGHTS, AND VETERAN GEARBOX PUBLISHING TEAM TO RESTORE ITS GLOBAL PUBLISHING VERTICAL.
People Can Fly Group has acquired the Cooldown Games brand, its publishing rights, and a team from Gearbox Publishing to re-establish its global publishing vertical. This move aims to strengthen People Can Fly's self-publishing strategy, increase profit margins on owned intellectual property, and introduce a new revenue stream through third-party publishing agreements. The acquisition also provides growth capital and operational support to Cooldown Games' existing slate of titles.
Sanrio launches self-publishing label Sanrio Games
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, has launched its own self-publishing label, Sanrio Games, aiming to release approximately 10 titles over the next three years. The first game, Sanrio Party Land, is a party game scheduled for a global release in fall 2026 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This initiative is part of Sanrio's long-term vision to become a global IP platform provider, with games serving as a core pillar for expanding its intellectual property and creating integrated experiences.
Why Build A Rocket Boy moved to self-publishing for MindsEye | Mark Gerhard interview
Mark Gerhard, CEO and CTO of Build A Rocket Boy, discusses the company's decision to move to self-publishing for their upcoming game, MindsEye. This shift follows the termination of their publishing collaboration with IOI Partners, a division of IO Interactive.
Why Build A Rocket Boy moved to self-publishing for MindsEye | Mark Gerhard interview
Mark Gerhard, CEO and CTO of Build A Rocket Boy, discussed the company's decision to move to self-publishing for their upcoming game, MindsEye. This move follows the end of their publishing collaboration with IOI Partners. The interview also touched upon the game's development and potential platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
PONCLE KEYNOTE LEADS EXPANDED B2B PROGRAMME AT LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL
The London Games Festival has expanded its B2B program, featuring a keynote from Poncle, the studio behind Vampire Survivors. The event includes a two-day Games Finance Market with £247 million in potential investment, a Self-Publishing Toolkit live session, and the first Games For Change London Summit focused on social impact through games. A 'Games meets film' convergence event, Screen Play, will also explore collaborations between creative industries.
Inside .hack//Z.E.R.O.: CyberConnect2 on Reviving the Series and Its Modern JRPG Direction
CyberConnect2 Executive Vice President Taichiro Miyazaki discusses the upcoming .hack//Z.E.R.O., a self-published title marking the series' return and the studio's 30th anniversary. He details the process of securing the license from Bandai Namco and the approach to modern JRPG design, balancing classic elements with contemporary expectations. Miyazaki also touches on the themes of modern technology and the lessons learned from self-publishing the Fuga trilogy.
Remedy releases final major update for underperforming shooter FBC: Firebreak
Remedy Entertainment has released the final major content update for its underperforming shooter FBC: Firebreak, which launched in June 2025. Despite commercial disappointment, the studio confirmed the game will remain online and playable for years to come, with a permanent price drop to $19.99 for the base game. The 'Open House' update introduces new arenas, gameplay improvements, and a 'Friend's Pass' feature.
Who needs a publisher, anyway? "I mean, who does physical any more?"
Composer Filippo Beck Peccoz has transitioned to game development, founding Cobalt Lane to create the psychological thriller Imprinted. He discusses his journey from composing for studios like Mimimi Games to directing his own project, emphasizing the rise of self-publishing and the unique perspective his audio background brings to game design. Beck Peccoz secured funding from the state of Bavaria and has opted for self-publishing, working with a marketing agency rather than a traditional publisher.
Mattel to acquire full ownership of Mattel163 from NetEase
Mattel is acquiring full ownership of its mobile studio Mattel163 from NetEase for $318 million. This move is expected to significantly enhance Mattel's self-publishing capabilities and accelerate its presence in the high-growth mobile market. Mattel163 has developed games based on Mattel's IP, including Uno, and has garnered over 550 million downloads globally.
