Stray Fawn's Eight-Year Journey as an Independent Game Studio

At Devcom, Philomena Schwab, co-founder of Stray Fawn, shared the story of how the Zurich-based studio has thrived for eight years without the backing of investors or publishers. The studio's commitment to independence has been a guiding principle, with Schwab emphasizing the importance of community support in game development. Stray Fawn's first game, Niche, garnered interest from publishers after a successful crowdfunding campaign, but the studio declined these offers due to a previous negative experience with a publisher. This decision was motivated by a desire to maintain full control over their games and avoid external pressures. "We didn't want to compromise on the quality of our games or be bound by external deadlines," Schwab explained. "We wanted to be responsible for our own successes and failures." The studio's recent success with The Wandering Village further solidified their commitment to independence, with Schwab noting that they had received numerous offers from publishers but chose to decline them. This decision was driven by a desire to maintain creative control and avoid external pressures. Stray Fawn's approach to game development is centered around a flat organizational structure, where all developers earn the same salary and are eligible for the same bonuses after three years of service. This approach has fostered a sense of community and motivation among team members, who are directly invested in the success of their games. The studio's first game launch was modest, but the community's enthusiasm and support on social media and streaming platforms helped propel the game to success. This experience highlighted the importance of community building and has informed the studio's approach to game development and publishing. Stray Fawn has since expanded its portfolio to include five games, each with a unique genre and style. The studio's publishing arm has also focused on signing games that align with their recent releases, allowing for cross-promotion and a cohesive brand identity. Schwab noted that the decision to become a publisher was driven by a desire to create a supportive and flexible partnership model, one that would allow developers to maintain creative control and avoid external pressures. "We want to be the kind of publisher that we would want to work with," she explained. By prioritizing community support, creative control, and a flat organizational structure, Stray Fawn has established itself as a successful and independent game studio, one that is committed to creating high-quality games and fostering a positive and supportive development environment.