Phasmophobia, a game that quickly became a classic upon its 2020 release, continues to thrive as one of Steam's leading titles, having sold over 25 million copies during its early access phase. Its success even inspired a wave of other popular titles, such as REPO and Lethal Company, solidifying its role in defining the co-op horror genre.
This widespread acclaim was an unexpected turn for Daniel Knight, who was initially the game's sole developer. Now, with Kinetic Games having expanded into a team of over 30 professionals, the studio is introducing its new venture: Kinetic Publishing. Drawing from five years of valuable experience in indie game development, Knight, now CEO, is eager to share his knowledge and resources with other independent creators.
Kinetic Publishing is set to provide comprehensive assistance, including financial backing, legal advice, marketing strategies, and broader development guidance, to solo developers and small teams. The label plans to work with a select group of projects, focusing on those with a clear vision and an estimated release window of 12-18 months. Notably, the publisher has stated it will not consider projects involving blockchain, web3, or AI-generated content. Asim Tanvir, Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Kinetic Publishing, expressed the company's ambition to be a supportive indie publisher that champions creativity and encourages innovation in game development. He hopes their guidance will help indie teams succeed in their core strengths. Despite this new initiative, the original Kinetic Games team remains dedicated to the ongoing development and support of Phasmophobia.
This move by Kinetic Games embodies a spirit of collaboration and mentorship within the gaming industry. By channeling their hard-earned success and expertise, they are actively fostering a more supportive ecosystem for aspiring game developers. This commitment to nurturing new talent and promoting innovative game design paves the way for a vibrant future in independent game creation, ensuring that passion and ingenuity continue to drive the industry forward.
