Thatgamecompany is expanding its business model by launching a new publishing division called Thatgamepublisher. This move allows the studio to leverage its financial success to support other independent developers. It marks a shift from solely creating games to actively funding the broader indie ecosystem. Buyers and players may see more diverse titles emerge from smaller teams with this new backing.
Journey studio uses excess revenue to support independent developers
The new arm is led by Jenova Chen, the co-founder of Thatgamecompany. Chen explained that the studio wants to help creators discover new emotional frontiers in gaming. Thatgamepublisher exists to bring those specific visions to life for a wider audience. The company aims to scale impact without growing its own internal team size.
Chen cited overflow cash from successful indie titles as a primary driver for entering publishing. He noted that successful indie games usually operate on a shoestring budget initially. If a game becomes very successful, the studio suddenly has an overflow of cash. Investing in other indie games is a natural choice for everyone in this position.
A couple of games have already been signed by the company, though details remain undisclosed. Chen argued that indie studios now possess significant distribution influence through player communities. They can reach audiences without becoming a thousand-people company. This strategy lets them invest in familiar territory rather than expanding their own headcount.
Thatgamecompany is known for games including Journey, Flow, Flower, and Sky: Children of the Light. The studio is using its reputation and resources to support similar creative efforts. Specific titles signed by Thatgamepublisher have not been shared publicly. The focus remains on supporting creators who are discovering new emotional frontiers for this medium.
Source: VideoGameChronicles
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