A fresh entrant to the video‑game publishing arena, PUBLSH, has been launched by a group of former executives from the marketing firm Petrol. The company’s inaugural release is an episodic detective‑drama titled Pera Coda, a title that draws clear inspiration from the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium. The game is being developed by the Turkish studio Elyzio together with its internal arm, Falan Studio, and promises a blend of point‑and‑click investigation mechanics and deep, psychological narrative. Headquartered in California, PUBLSH was co‑founded in 2025 by chief executive officer Ben Granados and chief strategy officer Samuel Clarke.
Granados brings a robust background in the gaming sector, having previously co‑founded Petrol, an agency that has partnered with a roster of heavyweight publishers and developers such as Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, CD Projekt, Epic Games, Game Science, Krafton, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Tencent. This extensive network and experience form the backbone of PUBLSH’s approach to supporting independent studios. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Clarke explained that the new publisher identified a niche for "experienced, collaborative and flexible" assistance that leverages an advertising background. PUBLSH intends to provide not only traditional publishing services but also direct project investments and bespoke financing solutions tailored to the specific needs of each development team.
At present, the venture is financed by its founders, but Clarke indicated that they are open to bringing in a limited group of external investors who share the company’s long‑term vision. Clarke articulated the firm’s overarching philosophy as delivering "publisher‑level leadership without publisher‑level control." In practice, this means that PUBLSH will act as a hands‑on partner, offering strategic guidance, business development expertise, and access to financing while allowing developers to retain creative autonomy.
The team boasts deep experience across product and portfolio strategy, business development, financing, platform negotiations, distribution relationships, audience development, marketing, communications, and go‑to‑market execution. This breadth of skill sets is intended to create a supportive ecosystem for the studios they work with.
Looking ahead, PUBLSH plans to publish roughly four to five titles each year, a deliberately modest slate designed to ensure that each partner receives substantial operational bandwidth and investment. The company is targeting projects with development budgets under $20 million, a range that typically includes mid‑size indie and boutique studios.
"We want enough operational space to invest deeply in every studio we partner with," Clarke said. "We’d rather add high value to five development partners and games than be one of twenty partners on twenty games." Pera Coda, the first game under PUBLSH’s banner, is scheduled for a PC release in 2027. It combines classic point‑and‑click adventure gameplay with a focus on psychological storytelling, inviting players to explore a richly atmospheric world while unraveling a complex murder mystery. Granados praised the title, noting that the team evaluated numerous candidates before deciding that Pera Coda possessed a distinct voice that aligned with their new publishing model.
"Elyzio has created a game that is atmospheric and intriguing, with storytelling that just felt fresh and compelling to us. We knew we wanted to work with this team and help bring their unique vision to players around the world," he remarked. PUBLSH’s strategy reflects a broader trend in the industry toward more flexible, developer‑centric publishing arrangements. By positioning itself as a partner rather than a traditional publisher that imposes strict oversight, PUBLSH hopes to attract talent seeking both financial support and creative freedom.
The company’s emphasis on selective collaboration, deep integration with development teams, and a focus on modest, high‑impact releases aims to differentiate it from larger, more bureaucratic publishers. In summary, PUBLSH enters the market with a clear mission: to provide seasoned leadership and resources without encroaching on the artistic direction of its partners. With a seasoned leadership team, a first‑party title that showcases its publishing philosophy, and a roadmap that emphasizes quality over quantity, PUBLSH seeks to carve out a niche for itself as a trusted ally for indie and mid‑size studios looking to bring innovative, story‑driven experiences to a global audience.