Starbreeze joins free-to-play rush

Sweden studio Starbreeze has begun work on Cold Mercury, a new free-to-play project that will form the beginnings of the company’s self-publish business.

Starbreeze said its new strategy is to “broaden its product portfolio with online games”, as well as retain IP through self-pubishing.

But CEO Mikael Nermark said the firm’s transition does not signal an end to its triple-A projects.

"Starbreeze will not leave the AAA segment,” he said.

“We will broaden our product portfolio with games in the new business models and segments that have arisen in the computer game industry. I convinced that Starbreeze will be successful with the new games.”

The studio, famous for its work on the Chronicals of Riddick franchise, said it is pitching its other mystery project to various publishers. Film director Josef Fares is collaborating on the project, codenamed P13.

In February, Starbreeze announced it was cutting off about 25 workers.