Worker Cooperative
Ongoing coverage on Worker Cooperative.
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Ex-ZA/UM developers reveal Red Rooster, an "incendiary RPG" that is very intentionally not trying to be a "Disco Elysium successor" or "Disco-like"
Summer Eternal, a studio founded by former ZA/UM developers including writer Argo Tuulik, has announced its debut RPG, Red Rooster. The game is described as an "incendiary, physics-driven RPG" that aims to combine immersive sim elements with deep worldbuilding, and is being built in Unreal Engine. The studio is also releasing a 500-page anthology book detailing the game's development and industry commentary, which includes a player-funded model.
Experimental RPG developer Summer Eternal: 'We're giving away 5% of our studio to you, the Players' in order to 'mend the trust broken in this industry a thousand times over'
RPG developer Summer Eternal, co-founded by ex-ZA/UM designers, is implementing a radical governance model that gives players 5% of studio ownership and profit sharing. This initiative aims to rebuild trust in the industry by making players stakeholders in the studio's direction and investments, rather than just consumers. Their first product, 'The Summer Eternal Anthology Vol. 1,' includes essays and a preview of their upcoming game, 'Project Red Rooster.'
Triple-A vets and accessibility experts launch new game dev co-op: Raze and Rebuild Studio
Veteran game developers and accessibility experts have launched Raze and Rebuild Studio, a new worker-owned cooperative. The studio aims to address industry layoffs and create games with impact, focusing on real-world experiences and accessibility in both development and gameplay. They are currently developing their debut project without external funding, seeking grants and partners.
Gaming media diaspora: where every writer landed | 2026
The article maps the post-collapse landscape of gaming journalism, detailing where writers from defunct publications like Kotaku and Vice have relocated. It highlights the rise of independent, worker-owned sites, solo newsletters, and bundled subscription services as the new hubs for quality writing, contrasting them with legacy outlets perceived as publishing press releases.
Punch Up Games: Worker-owned Studio Debut + Free Demo
Punch Up Games, a new worker-owned cooperative studio, has announced its debut game, Dig Too Deep, a chaotic action physics roguelite tower defense game. The studio, comprised of eight co-owners, believes cooperatives are key to a renaissance in the gaming industry. A free demo for Dig Too Deep is available now on Steam and will be featured during Steam Next Fest from June 15-22.