Welsh distributor Curveball Leisure has launched a new full-service publishing division called Curveball Games that will offer financing options and production support to independent and double-A developers.
The nascent division will be helmed by former PQube senior global commercial manager Ed Gregory, who suggested the company will work to nurture the “green shoots of recovery” that have sprouted amid a turbulent period in the game industry.
“This moment calls for a fresh approach and that’s where Curveball Games comes in. Passion drives this industry, but studios need more than passion to thrive. Our role as a publisher is to champion developers, nurture creativity, and provide the support they truly need,” said Gregory.
“With our team’s experience and the backing of the wider Curveball group, we feel we’re in a strong position to help surface the next wave of standout talent.”
Curveball has previously worked on titles such as Unholy, Choo-Choo Charles, and Jetrunner. The company’s publishing division will provide everything from funding and marketing assistance to QA, localization, PR, platform support, and options for physical releases. Notably, it claims developers can tailor a publishing deal to suit their exact needs.
“Need the whole toolkit? Great. Just need help in a few key areas? Fine by us! Our support can be wholly shaped around what your project needs most,” reads an explainer on the Curveball website.
Curveball CEO Stuart Harries explained the company has been exploring the world of publishing for the past year and ultimately chose to launch its own dedicated division to demonstrate both its confidence in the game industry and its commitment to developers.
“We’re here to support, not just today, but for the long term,” added Harries. “We’re not chasing overnight success. This is a sustained investment and and I have full confidence that Ed and his team will build something truly meaningful over the years to come.”
Curveball Games has already established partnerships with Wales Interactive, Top Hat Studios, Duality Games, Reignite Group, Riddlebit Software, and others on several upcoming physical and digital releases.