Dreamhaven: Empowering the Next Generation of Independent Game Developers

In 2020, Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime co-created Dreamhaven, a new developer and publisher with two internal studios and a partnership program designed to help other indie studios. Dreamhaven's mission is to foster a thriving ecosystem of independent game developers, providing them with the resources, expertise, and support they need to bring their innovative ideas to life.

Unlocking the Potential of Independent Game Development

Nurturing a Collaborative Community

Dreamhaven's partnership program is a unique approach to supporting independent game studios. By making strategic investments and offering hands-on guidance, Dreamhaven aims to empower these studios to focus on the aspects of game development they're most passionate about. The program provides access to Dreamhaven's wealth of industry experience, allowing partner studios to tap into the expertise of seasoned designers, engineers, and publishing professionals."We have a lot of expertise, not only in our publishing capabilities but also we have really good designers that could potentially just jam with some of the developers in our partner studios, help them think through problems," explains Paul Della Bitta, who leads Dreamhaven's publishing efforts. "It's really good to have an independent person in your discipline to talk to. Our engineers are always talking together about challenges that they're facing."This collaborative approach has fostered a vibrant community among Dreamhaven's partner studios, where developers can share knowledge, discuss challenges, and support one another in their respective journeys. Della Bitta emphasizes the importance of this ecosystem, stating, "We just think a lot of the innovation that we see – either new IP or new gameplay or new genres – are being created with independent developers. And we think that's really important for our industry and for gamers just to have these new experiences."

Empowering Innovative Game Concepts

Dreamhaven's partnership program has already yielded promising results, with the announcement of its first published title, "Lynked: Banner of the Spark" by FuzzyBot Games. This game, which blends cooperative action with town-building elements, exemplifies Dreamhaven's commitment to supporting unique and engaging gameplay experiences.Tatyana Dyshlova, CEO of FuzzyBot Games, explains the studio's motivation for creating "Lynked": "We didn't have a lot of games that we could play with our friends and family that weren't like a very hardcore shooter, or where you need to have a really high dexterity with a controller. Or it was all games that were very cosy but not really fun if you like action. So we wanted to create a game that [is] like, 'What if Animal Crossing had a lot more action?' A positive place to hang out, to have different types of experience for different players, and that would facilitate playing together."Dreamhaven's support has been instrumental in helping FuzzyBot navigate the challenges of bringing this innovative concept to market. Dyshlova acknowledges the difficulties of being "the first one to try something," but credits Dreamhaven's collaborative approach and constructive feedback for instilling confidence in the partnership.

Fostering Long-Term Sustainability

Dreamhaven's commitment to the independent game development ecosystem extends beyond individual projects. The company's long-term vision is to create a sustainable environment where studios can thrive, regardless of the ups and downs of the industry."Independent developer ecosystems have gone through ups and downs, and even people who publish successful games sometimes don't make it just because of their contractual obligations," Dyshlova explains. "So it's kind of echoing back to the purpose that Dreamhaven presented to us, which is to support a healthy ecosystem of game developers outside of some of the big conglomerates who can bring cool innovative games to market, who can build the next generation of game developers."This holistic approach to supporting independent studios sets Dreamhaven apart from traditional publishers. By prioritizing the long-term success and well-being of its partners, the company aims to foster an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish, ultimately benefiting both developers and players alike.

Embracing the Unpredictable Journey of Game Development

Dreamhaven's co-founder, Mike Morhaime, acknowledges that the path to releasing a game is rarely straightforward. "We would have loved to release our games earlier, had they been ready," he says. "The course of development is what it is and this is how long it took."This understanding of the unpredictable nature of game development is reflected in Dreamhaven's approach. The company is willing to take the time necessary to ensure its partner studios can bring their visions to life, without imposing unrealistic deadlines or pressures."The whole process and our relationship with them gave us confidence that they would be good partners through the good, the bad, and the ugly of launching a game these days," Dyshlova says, highlighting the trust and support Dreamhaven has provided to FuzzyBot Games.

Empowering the Next Generation of Game Developers

Dreamhaven's mission extends beyond simply publishing successful games. The company is committed to nurturing the next generation of game developers, providing them with the resources and guidance they need to thrive."Nobody had to start Dreamhaven, everyone had other options. They could have all done lots of different things. Everybody chose to do this because it allowed them to focus on the things they were excited to focus on in partnership with other really talented, experienced people," Morhaime explains.By fostering a collaborative environment and offering its expertise, Dreamhaven aims to empower independent studios to push the boundaries of game design and create experiences that captivate players. This holistic approach to supporting the industry's future leaders sets Dreamhaven apart as a unique and forward-thinking force in the gaming landscape.