GameStop's new publishing firm, GameTrust, picks up some well known studios
GameStop's newly minted publishing arm, GameTrust, has managed to nab some great developers: Frozenbyte, Tequila Works, Ready At Dawn Studios, and Insomniac Games.
Notable games from those studios include the Ratchet and Clank series, including the newest reboot, and the Resistance games, from Insomniac Games; The Order: 1886, God of War: Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta on PlayStation Portable as well as the God of War: Origins Collection on PlayStation 3, from Ready at Dawn; The Trine Trilogy from Frozenbyte; Deadlight from Tequila Works.
GameTrust's first release will be Song of the Deep, Insomniac Games' newest Metroidvania style game. Not much else has been officially revealed as to what other games will be coming from GameTrust, but Frozenbyte is currently working on Shadwen, a new third-person stealth title, and Tequila Works has been working on Rime, a title previously PlayStation 4 exclusive until Sony Interactive Entertainment gave up publishing exclusivity.
GameStop's VP of Internal Development and Diversification (that's a mouthful), Mark Stanley, has said in an interview with GameSpot (GameStop and GameSpot, that's not a typing nightmare) that talks have been going on for "well over a year" about bringing "small-to-medium AAA-quality independent games" to market.
Looks like GameStop is in this for the long haul, saying they plan to bring console, PC, and even VR games in the future with the aim to "provide a new platform for gamers to discover and enjoy new video game experiences."
Stanley has also stated that GameTrust will have more of a hands-off approach to publishing, stating that they "do not want to involve ourselves in the creative process because at the end of the day, that is what our developer partners are passionate about. By allowing developers to fully focus on their craft, GameTrust can focus on all other aspects of bring a new IP to market, leveraging our deep expertise and retail channel leadership to support each developer and connect their games with a broader global audience."
One aspect of bring new IPs to market includes retail merchandise, and GameStop has that one covered. Song of the Deep merch will be exclusive to GameStop locations. So for those POP! Vinyl collectors out there, plan a trip to GameStop when this one releases.
Stanley also stated (long interview) that GameTrust is also in "dozens of conversations" about working with other developers.
GameStop is making a move, and it sounds like a good one. If this goes well, and there's no reason it shouldn't, chalk one up for retails sales. Not that I'm anti-digital, but retail will be around a little longer thanks to GameStop.
