Starbreeze opens publishing business

Swedish company Starbreeze has launched a new publishing business for digital games.

The firm, responsible for titles such as Payday 2 and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, will assist developers with distribution, marketing and publishing. In a statement it said “projects will be selected and managed carefully and game developers will be encouraged to retain part of the IP”.

Its first publishing deal is with Croatia-based studio Lion Game Lion for its co-op shooter game Raid: World War II. Starbreeze has invested $8m in the studio for the title’s development in return for a 50 / 50 royalty split. The two companies will each own 50 per cent of the IP rights.

“Having been a developer for more than two decades, we know what developers need and what challenges they face,” said Starbreeze CEO Bo Andersson Klint.

A”s a partner, we aim to create deals that benefit both the developer and us. We’re taking the classic ‘developer and publisher’ model and throwing it out the window. As your wingman, we will have your back while you pilot your game to success.

“I see Starbreeze as a catalyst for talented developers and digital publishing, particularly on Steam, where we are off to a flying start with our Payday-franchise. Simply put – we want to create more stars.”

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