Phiphen Expands into Gaming with New Publishing Venture

US-based film and television production company Phiphen is venturing into the gaming industry with the launch of Phiphen Games, a new publishing arm. The company will be led by CEO and founder Molly Conners, who has revealed that Phiphen has previously invested in select gaming projects and is now looking to make a more significant impact in the space. According to Conners, the film and gaming industries share many similarities, and Phiphen's experience in film project management can be applied to game development. By using a similar model to its film projects, Phiphen Games aims to help developers successfully launch their games while maintaining a fair stake in their intellectual property. Phiphen has a background in independent film and TV production, with notable projects including last year's drama Daddio, starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson. Conners is confident that the company's experience in the film industry will serve it well in the gaming sector, particularly in terms of adhering to timelines and budgets. Phiphen Games' debut title, Ruffy and the Riverside, is a 3D puzzle platformer developed by German studio Zockrates Labs. The game features a unique texture-swapping mechanic and is set to release on PC and consoles in early 2025. Conners notes that this title is not indicative of the types of games Phiphen will publish, as the company will evaluate each project on a case-by-case basis. The new publisher aims to be selective in its title releases, focusing on quality over quantity. While Phiphen Games has yet to determine its annual release schedule, Conners emphasizes that the company will not adopt a 'publishing factory' approach, instead prioritizing careful project selection and support.