Don't Nod Explores New Horizons with Gerda and Indie Publishing

Today marks the launch of Gerda: A Flame in Winter, a title developed by Denmark's PortaPlay and published by Don't Nod. This release signifies a milestone for the French company, which has been navigating different business models in recent years, transforming from a dedicated developer to a self-publishing entity and now a third-party publisher. Don't Nod's journey into publishing is highlighted by its excitement ahead of Gerda's launch, as expressed by CEO and founder Oskar Guilbert and CMO Sophie Filip at Gamescom. Filip emphasized the game's intimate story, inspired by the grandmother of PortaPlay's creative director, Hans von Knut, offering a civilian perspective on World War 2. This theme resonates deeply today and is a testament to the importance of such narratives. Don't Nod didn't just publish Gerda; the company was also involved in its development, adopting a hands-on approach that will be central to its future publishing endeavors. This co-production model allows for a special relationship with developers, characterized by mutual contribution and collaboration. Guilbert noted that Don't Nod is selective about the developers it partners with, considering factors such as budget and the developer's ability to deliver, often seeking teams with prior experience in game development. The decision to publish Gerda was also influenced by its strong narrative and RPG elements, aligning with Don't Nod's expertise in narrative-driven games, as seen in Vampyr. The move into publishing stems from a desire to rectify the often-imbalanced developer-publisher relationship, aiming for reciprocity and mutual benefit. Don't Nod's history with publishers, including its experience with Bandai Namco and the complexities of Twin Mirror, has taught the studio valuable lessons. Guilbert expressed gratitude for the partnership with Square Enix, which helped Don't Nod during a challenging period, and acknowledged the studio's growth since its Life is Strange days. Currently, Don't Nod has six games in development, with plans to self-publish five of them and partner with Focus for the sixth, due to its ambitious budget and the studio's trust in Focus's marketing and distribution capabilities. Reflecting on Life is Strange, Guilbert and Filip recognize its impact on Don't Nod's DNA and values, although there are no current plans to revisit the series, owned by Square Enix and now developed by Deck Nine. Instead, the studio focuses on creating its own IPs, building new worlds, and telling stories that resonate with players, as seen in its editorial vision and partnerships like the one with PortaPlay.