Firefly Launches Publishing Label

Firefly, the developer of Stronghold, has launched a new publishing label called Wuselfaktory, which will focus on strategy games. The label's first title is Fool King, a tactical autobattler with a roguelike edge, developed by first-time developer Loot Donkey. According to Nick Tannahill, studio head of Firefly, the move into publishing is a natural step for the company, given its expertise in the strategy space.

Background

Firefly has been self-publishing its games since 2010 and has built a strong reputation in the strategy genre. The company's parent, Devolver, suggested that Firefly move into publishing, citing its lack of experience in the lucrative strategy space. Firefly's publishing label, Wuselfaktory, will focus on smaller, more niche titles, with the goal of providing funding, guidance, and partnerships to developers.

Publishing Strategy

Firefly's approach to publishing is centered around its expertise in the strategy genre. The company will handle localization, marketing, and QA for its published titles, and will also provide development help to its partners. Tannahill believes that this approach will allow Firefly to build strong relationships with developers and provide high-quality games to players. Firefly's publishing label is still in its early stages, but the company is committed to making it a success.

Market Opportunity

The strategy genre is a vast and underserved market, according to Tannahill. Despite the success of games like Command and Conquer, the genre has been neglected in recent years. However, with the rise of Steam and the growth of the PC gaming market, Firefly sees an opportunity to bring new strategy games to players. The company believes that its publishing label can help fill this gap and provide players with high-quality strategy games.

Future Plans

Firefly's publishing label, Wuselfaktory, will initially focus on smaller titles, with the goal of releasing a few games per year. The company will continue to develop its own games, including the Stronghold series, and will also look to partner with other developers to bring new strategy games to market. With its expertise in the strategy genre and its commitment to publishing, Firefly is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the gaming industry.