The Rise and Fall of Humble Games
This July saw a seismic shift in the indie gaming landscape when Humble Games, a noteworthy publisher in the space, closed its doors due to budgeting woes at its parent company, Ziff Davis. The abrupt shutdown led to the layoff of the entire 36-member staff, leaving many indie developers in a lurch.
Good Games Group: A Beacon of Hope
However, from the ashes of Humble Games, a new phoenix has risen. Former general manager Alan Patmore and ex-global publishing VP Mark Nash have united to form Good Games Group. Their mission? To uphold the same core values and goals that once defined Humble Games—but this time, without the shackles of corporate oversight. It seems they’ve taken a page out of the indie handbook.
Supporting Indie Developers
Good Games Group has hit the ground running, specifically focusing on assisting previous Humble Games titles. After the unfortunate closure, many of these projects were handed over to a third-party publisher, but Patmore and Nash are now rallying to ensure those projects receive the support they truly deserve. This transition gives indie developers the chance to continue their partnerships, likely facilitating a smoother creative process—much to the delight of the indie community.
As Good Games Group embarks on this new journey, the hope is to reignite the spirit of indie gaming, providing a promising and trustworthy venue for developers who thrive on creativity and innovation. The traveling landscape of gaming may be tumultuous, but with fresh starts like these, there’s always room for optimism.