Ghost Ship Sets Sail in Publishing Industry

The decision to establish a publishing label was a gradual yet inevitable step for Ghost Ship Games. Following the success of their co-op shooter Deep Rock Galactic, the company had been investing in developers and playing a supportive role within the Danish games industry. The question of whether they should start publishing other studios' games eventually led to the creation of their own publishing label. Lundgaard notes that their experience with Steam Early Access and games-as-a-service was a key factor in this decision, as other developers were seeking their expertise. With the support of their parent company, Embracer Group, Ghost Ship Games is now poised to help smaller studios bring their passion projects to life. The company's first three titles are all from Danish developers, but they are open to working with studios from around the world. Lundgaard emphasizes that their focus is on smaller indie titles, with budgets ranging from €500,000 to €3 million. The success of Deep Rock Galactic, which has sold 5.5 million units as of 2022, has provided Ghost Ship Games with the resources to invest in their publishing label. The game's sales acceleration can be attributed to various factors, including its inclusion in subscription services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Lundgaard believes that these services have been beneficial for their game, which thrives on player engagement and retention. However, he acknowledges that the impact of subscription services on the industry as a whole is still uncertain. Ghost Ship Games is committed to supporting the Danish games scene, which is experiencing a period of growth and change. The company is working to help address the industry's challenges, such as finding and recruiting experienced talent. Lundgaard hopes that their publishing label will be able to replicate the positive collaboration they had with their own publisher, Coffee Stain, and provide developers with the support they need to bring their passion projects to life.