Thunderful, a Swedish game development and distribution company, has announced the acquisition of independent award-winning game developer Studio Fizbin. The acquisition was made via Thunderful’s subsidiary, Headup. Studio Fizbin is known for creating critically acclaimed titles such as Say No More! and Minute of Islands and is currently working on a new action roguelike under the codename Project Kokidon.
This move strengthens Thunderful’s ability to develop its intellectual property (IP) across diverse talent. Studio Fizbin, which becomes the eleventh studio at Thunderful, will continue to work on its in-development action roguelike, Project Kokidon, and will retain its creative freedom. The integration of Studio Fizbin includes the ownership of all IPs created by the studio, such as IGF nominee A Minute of Islands and the highly successful point-and-click series, The Inner World.
Thunderful Chief Games Officer Agostino Simonetta said,
“Adding to Thunderful’s roster of studios with acquisitions is an important part of our business strategy when it comes to our IP-building pillar. With Studio Fizbin joining the likes of Coatsink, JUMPSHIP, Early Morning Studio, and our talent behind the SteamWorld series, we now have eleven studios that we are supporting to unleash their creative vision and build strong IP.”
Thunderful has a long-standing relationship with Studio Fizbin, having published one of the studio’s previous titles, Say No More!. Studio Fizbin’s acquisition represents the first time Thunderful has moved from a publishing relationship to an acquisition with a studio.
Alexander Pieper, Co-Founder and CEO of Studio Fizbin, said:
“We are incredibly hyped to be joining Thunderful and elevating our long-standing relationship to the next level. Becoming part of a bigger organization like this is a real benefit to our studio in terms of the support and infrastructure Thunderful offers. We have their full backing to follow our creative vision, and this allows us to focus on making Project Kokidon and our future games the best we’ve ever shipped”.
Thunderful, founded in 2017, has grown into a global organization with over 400 employees and eleven development studios. The company’s other business segment is Thunderful Distribution, which distributes Nintendo products, games, game accessories, and toys. On the other hand, Studio Fizbin is a German independent games studio located in Ludwigsburg and Berlin, focused on story-driven games and interactive apps with engaging, original, and unique characters, worlds, and stories that drive positive change to those who experience them.
