Merch site Redbubble teams with indie devs for Fan Art initiative

Studios will now be able to benefit from the use of their IP on merchandise sold through Redbubble.

The website has often been criticised for its sale of products such as iPhone cases, t-shirts and housewares featuring unofficial artwork and designs, which are provided by third-party artists unaffiliated with game creators and do not offer any revenue to the original IP owners.

The new Fan Art programme aims to counteract this, by allowing fans and studios to work together on merchandise and profit equally.

Developers will be able to curate a selection of fan art based on their games for use on products. The sale price is then split between Redbubble, the studio and the artist.

The first group of participants includes Armello creator League of Geeks, Broforce maker Free Lives Games, GalakZ developer 17Bit, Darkest Dungeon studio Redhook Games and Brace Yourself Games with its title Crypt of the Necrodancer.

“When talking to Redbubble we immediately saw the benefits not only for us and our community, but for indie developers around the world," said League of Geeks co-founder and director Trent Kusters.

“Redbubble has identified an opportunity for all stakeholders to develop branded pages with curated content, which is a breakthrough for the independent gaming industry.

"At our scale, setting up a full range of merchandise wasn’t a reality, so it was great that Redbubble already has the range, the systems and the artist community.”