How Xsolla Funding Club Powered Kautki Cave's Flame Keeper

Flame Keeper, the action roguelite game, originated from humble beginnings as a prototype called Ignis, created during the TK Game Jam in 2018 by a team comprising staff from various Polish game studios, including Techland, Bloober Team, and T-Bull. The project took second place in the competition, and the developers knew they had a promising concept. Lead developer Paweł Tomaszewski explains that the initial prototype involved playing as a piece of magical coal, collecting energy from fire to sustain life, and gathering resources to bring to the main fire camp. Encouraged by the prototype's potential, the team decided to develop it into a full game. However, developing Flame Keeper in their spare time proved challenging, prompting the team to engage with the CEO of indie publisher Untold Tales, which led to the establishment of Kautki Cave as a subsidiary and a significant investment in the project. To further develop Flame Keeper, the Kautki Cave team sought additional funding, but they faced difficulties in securing investment, as larger investors were focused on backing bigger AAA projects at the time. CEO Pawel Skaba notes that the first batch of the Xsolla Accelerator program was about to start, and he reached out to pitch the game, which was well-received. With the support of Xsolla Accelerator, Kautki Cave received between $50,000 to $150,000 in funds, enabling them to bring Flame Keeper to life. The team, which had no prior experience in developing roguelike games, brainstormed and spoke to friends from different companies to build a development map. They created a solid production plan, aiming to make the game better and more competitive in the crowded roguelite genre on Steam. Given the fierce competition, it was crucial for Kautki Cave and Untold Tales to carefully consider how to help Flame Keeper succeed. They decided to position the game as an action title with roguelike elements, which would appeal to a broader audience. The team conducted a playtest on Steam, receiving constructive feedback that helped shape the game's development. A key concern for roguelites is keeping players engaged, and the team tweaked the gameplay to encourage longer play sessions. Flame Keeper launched into Steam Early Access and Nintendo Switch in March, with the funding from Xsolla enabling the studio to add to the game's foundation. The studio is working on content updates, including new biomes, combat enhancements, and console ports, with the goal of releasing the final version across PC and consoles in the first half of 2024. In addition to financial support, Xsolla provided non-financial assistance, including mentors focused on game development and introductions to partners in Asian markets. The Xsolla Accelerator program also offered game design support, helping Kautki Cave optimize and balance the game. Since the game's launch, the team has received a wide range of feedback, with the title boasting Positive feedback on Steam and a warm reception on Nintendo Switch. The team is working on localization, delivering the game to different audiences, and showcasing it at events, including Digital Dragons in Krakow and an event in Japan. Flame Keeper is available to purchase on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch. For more information on the Xsolla Accelerator program, which connects developers with funding and valuable feedback, visit their website.