Company:Annapurna Interactive

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Short description: Video game publisher
Annapurna Games, LLC
Annapurna Interactive
TypeDivision
IndustryVideo games
FoundedDecember 1, 2016; 7 years ago (2016-12-01)
FounderMegan Ellison
Nathan Gary
James Masi
Headquarters
West Hollywood, California
,
United States
ParentAnnapurna Pictures
Subsidiaries24 Bit Games
Websiteannapurnainteractive.com

Annapurna Games, LLC (trade name: Annapurna Interactive)[1] is an American video game publisher and developer. The company is a division of Annapurna Pictures, and was founded in 2016. Notable games published by the company include Donut County, Kentucky Route Zero, Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Wattam, What Remains of Edith Finch, Telling Lies, Neon White and Stray.

History

The company was founded as a division of Annapurna Pictures on December 1, 2016, as Annapurna's attempt to expand into the video game industry. The company's early staff was composed of existing Annapurna executives, producer Neale Hemrajani and Technology Head James Masi along with several video game veterans, including Nathan Gary, Deborah Mars, Hector Sanchez, and Jeff Legaspi, who had worked in Sony Interactive Entertainment and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.[2] Jenova Chen also served as the company's advisor. The company aimed to publish games that are "personal, emotional, and original".[3]

On the day of establishment, the company announced several publishing deals it had signed with several independent developers. Some of the first games published by the company included Gorogoa, What Remains of Edith Finch, Wattam, and Florence.[4] In 2017, Annapurna announced that it would begin publishing more games, which included The Artful Escape, Ashen, and Telling Lies.[5][6][7]

In May 2020, it was announced that Nathan Vella, former president of Capybara Games, had joined the company as an executive.[8] In October 2020, Annapurna established an internal development studio in Los Angeles .[9]

In March 2022, video game journalism YouTube channel People Make Games reported on three video game studios publishing under Annapurna Interactive — Mountains, Fullbright, and Funomena. In all three cases, employees reportedly reached out to Annapurna Interactive, addressing concerns regarding abuse and a toxic work environment being created by the studio founders. In hopes of getting Annapurna Interactive to mediate, employees stated that the publisher was siding mostly with the founders in question. According to one former studio employee, representatives of Annapurna Interactive had been quoted responding that "without strong personalities, games don't get made." Chris Bratt of People Make Games saw these incidents as part of a greater pattern of auteur culture that can be found across the independent film and video game industry.[10][11]

Two limited edition box sets containing the games Donut County, Kentucky Route Zero, Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Wattam, What Remains of Edith Finch, Telling Lies, and Gorogoa, celebrating the first five years of the publisher, were released in collaboration with iam8bit for the PlayStation 4 in late 2020.[12]

In June 2022, Annapurna announced the formation of an internal game development studio headed by Chelsea Hash.[13] Its first game, Blade Runner 2033, was announced in 2023.[14]

A limited edition box set containing the games Donut County, Gorogoa, Hindsight, I Am Dead, If Found..., Kentucky Route Zero, Neon White, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Solar Ash, The Artful Escape, The Pathless, What Remains of Edith Finch, was released in collaboration with iam8bit for the Nintendo Switch in late 2023.[15]

In November 2023, Annapurna Interactive made its first acquisition in South African studio 24 Bit Games, a studio which had provided support for other indie games such as Gone Home, Neon White, and Cocoon.[16][17]

Games

Games published

Year Title Developer(s) Platform(s) Ref.
2017 What Remains of Edith Finch Giant Sparrow Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S [18]
Flower Thatgamecompany Windows, iOS [19]
Gorogoa Buried Signal Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [20]
2018 Florence Mountains iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Nintendo Switch [21]
Donut County Ben Esposito Windows, PlayStation 4, macOS, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [22]
Gone Home Fullbright Nintendo Switch , iOS [23]
Ashen A44 Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch [24]
2019 Outer Wilds Mobius Digital Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 [25]
Journey Thatgamecompany Windows, iOS [26]
Telling Lies Sam Barlow, Furious Bee Windows, macOS, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch [27]
Sayonara Wild Hearts Simogo Windows, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iOS, tvOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One [28]
Wattam Funomena Windows, PlayStation 4 [29]
2020 Kentucky Route Zero Cardboard Computer Linux, Windows, OS X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S [30]
If Found... Dreamfeel Windows, macOS, iOS, Nintendo Switch [31]
The Unfinished Swan Giant Sparrow Windows, iOS [32]
I Am Dead Hollow Ponds, Richard Hogg Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [33]
The Pathless Giant Squid Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, macOS, iOS, tvOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [34]
2021 Maquette Graceful Decay Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [35]
Last Stop Variable State Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [36]
Twelve Minutes Luis Antonio Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [37]
The Artful Escape Beethoven & Dinosaur Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [36]
Solar Ash Heart Machine Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch [38]
2022 A Memoir Blue Cloisters Interactive Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS [39]
Neon White Angel Matrix Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [40]
Stray BlueTwelve Studio Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS [41]
Hohokum Honeyslug, Richard Hogg Windows [42]
Hindsight Team Hindsight Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [43]
2023 Storyteller Daniel Benmergui Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android [44]
Mundaun Hidden Fields Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [45]
Cocoon Geometric Interactive Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [46]
Thirsty Suitors Outerloop Games Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [47]
2024 Open Roads Open Roads Team Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch [48]
Bounty Star Dinogod Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [49]
Ghost Bike Messhof Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [50]
Flock Hollow Ponds, Richard Hogg Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 [51][52]
TBA Blade Runner 2033 Annapurna Games
Alcon Interactive Group 		Windows [53]
Forever Ago Third Shift Windows [54]
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Simogo Windows, Nintendo Switch [55]
The Lost Wild Great Ape Games Windows [56]
Lushfoil Photography Sim Matt Newell Windows [57]
Skin Deep Blendo Games Windows [58]
Silent Hill: Townfall No Code Windows [59]
to a T Uvula Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [60]
We Kill Monsters Glass Revolver Windows [61]

Games developed

Year Tile Platform Ref
TBA Blade Runner 2033 Windows [53]

References

  1. ↑ "Privacy Policy - Annapurna Interactive". Annapurna Pictures. https://annapurnainteractive.com/legal/privacy-policy. 
  2. ↑ Sprangler, Todd (December 1, 2016). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures Launches Video Game Division". Variety. https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/annapurna-pictures-video-game-megan-ellison-1201931131/. 
  3. ↑ Sinclair, Brandon (December 1, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures gets into game publishing". Gameindustry.biz. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-12-01-annapurna-pictures-gets-into-game-publishing. 
  4. ↑ Dornbush, Jonathon (December 1, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures Announces Video Game Publishing Division Annapurna Interactive". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/01/annapurna-pictures-announces-video-game-publishing-division-annapurna-interactive. 
  5. ↑ D'Anastasio, Cecilia (March 30, 2017). "A Musical Indie Game Starring A Teen With A Cosmic Guitar". Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/a-musical-indie-game-starring-a-teen-with-a-cosmic-guit-1793174658. 
  6. ↑ Cosimano, Mike (June 11, 2017). "Open-world RPG Ashen is the next game from Annapurna Interactive". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/open-world-rpg-ashen-is-the-next-game-from-annapurna-interactive-441187.phtml. 
  7. ↑ Chalk, Andy (July 14, 2017). "Her Story creator reveals new game will be called Telling Lies". PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/her-story-creator-reveals-new-game-will-be-called-telling-lies/. 
  8. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (May 7, 2020). "Annapurna Interactive hires indie game veteran Nathan Vella as a top executive". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/07/annapurna-interactive-hires-indie-game-veteran-nathan-vella-as-a-top-executive/. 
  9. ↑ Dealessandri, Marie (October 29, 2020). "Annapurna Interactive launches internal development studio". GamesIndustry.biz. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-29-annapurna-interactive-launches-internal-development-studio. 
  10. ↑ Bratt, Chris. "Investigating Three Indie Superstars Accused of Emotional Abuse". People Make Games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDPzZkx0cPs. 
  11. ↑ Chalk, Andy (March 18, 2022). "Two reports paint a troubling picture of workplace abuses at acclaimed indie studios". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/two-reports-paint-a-troubling-picture-of-workplace-abuses-at-acclaimed-indie-studios/. Retrieved March 19, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Van Allen, Eric (September 10, 2020). "Annapurna Interactive Is Releasing an Eight Game Box Set to Celebrate Its First Five Years". USGamer. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/annapurna-interactive-eight-game-box-set-collectors-edition-five-year-anniversary. 
  13. ↑ Francis, Bryant (June 6, 2022). "Annapurna Interactive now has an internal development studio" (in en). https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/annapurna-interactive-now-has-an-internal-development-studio. 
  14. ↑ "'Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth' is a new game set between the two movies" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/blade-runner-2033-labyrinth-is-a-new-game-set-between-the-two-movies-193828674.html. 
  15. ↑ Wales, Matt (October 24, 2023). "Annapurna is putting 12 acclaimed games on one $200 Switch cartridge". https://www.eurogamer.net/annapurna-is-putting-12-acclaimed-games-on-one-200-switch-cartridge. 
  16. ↑ Romano, Sal (November 16, 2023). "Annapurna Interactive acquires 24 Bit Games". https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/annapurna-interactive-acquires-24-bit-games. 
  17. ↑ Jarvis, Matt (November 17, 2023). "Annapurna might be entering their own acquisition age after buying Gone Home, Neon White and Cocoon co-devs". Rock Paper Shotgun. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/annapurna-might-be-entering-their-own-acquisition-age-after-buying-gone-home-neon-white-and-cocoon-co-devs. Retrieved November 17, 2023. 
  18. ↑ "Annapurna gets into game publishing, starting with What Remains of Edith Finch". December 2, 2016. https://www.vg247.com/2016/12/02/annapurna-gets-into-game-publishing-starting-with-what-remains-of-edith-finch/. 
  19. ↑ Chalk, Andy (February 14, 2019). "Flower, the 2009 PS3 hit, is finally on PC" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamer.com/flower-the-2009-indie-hit-from-thatgamecompany-is-finally-on-pc/. 
  20. ↑ (in en) Gorogoa Review - IGN, January 31, 2018, https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/31/gorogoa-review, retrieved March 4, 2021 
  21. ↑ "Florence is a game about love from the designer behind Monument Valley". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/24/16533918/florence-iphone-game-announce-ken-wong-interview. 
  22. ↑ de Rochefort, Simone (June 16, 2017). "Donut County: How I learned to love being a hole". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/16/15811760/e3-2017-donut-county-ben-esposito-game. 
  23. ↑ McCarthy, Katy (August 22, 2018). "Gone Home on Switch Delayed to September". Eurogamer. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gone-home-on-switch-delayed-to-september. 
  24. ↑ Donnelly, Joe (December 18, 2018). "Ashen review" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamer.com/ashen-review/. 
  25. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (March 15, 2018). "Outer Wilds is about backpacking in outer space". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/15/outer-wilds-preview-lets-go-backpacking-in-outer-space/. 
  26. ↑ Battaglia, Alex (July 11, 2019). "Does Journey's PC port deliver the definitive experience?" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2019-journey-pc-tech-analysis. 
  27. ↑ Byrd, Christopher. "Analysis | 'Telling Lies': One of the most brilliant video games of the year" (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/08/23/telling-lies-one-most-brilliant-video-games-year/. 
  28. ↑ "Sayonara Wild Hearts" (in en-US). December 7, 2018. http://simogo.com/work/sayonara-wild-hearts/. 
  29. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (August 31, 2017). "Wattam is still alive, coming in 2018" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/31/16229466/wattam-release-date-keita-takahashi-funomena-annapurna-interactive. 
  30. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (January 7, 2020). "Kentucky Route Zero reaches the end of the road" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/7/21054874/kentucky-route-zero-final-episode-5-release-date. 
  31. ↑ "If Found — dreamfeel" (in en-US). http://dreamfeel.org/iffound. 
  32. ↑ Chalk, Andy (September 10, 2020). "Acclaimed PlayStation adventure The Unfinished Swan finally comes to PC" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamer.com/acclaimed-playstation-adventure-the-unfinished-swan-finally-comes-to-pc/. 
  33. ↑ Byrd, Christopher. "Review | 'I Am Dead' celebrates life through everyday objects" (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/i-am-dead-game-review/. 
  34. ↑ "The Pathless Out in Holiday 2020 for PS4, PS5, and PC". https://gamingbolt.com/the-pathless-out-in-holiday-2020-for-ps4-ps5-and-pc. 
  35. ↑ Wales, Matt (February 8, 2021). "Annapurna's recursive puzzle adventure Maquette gets March release date" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-08-annapurnas-recursive-puzzle-adventure-maquette-gets-march-release-date. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Borthwick, Ben (November 19, 2020). "12 Minutes, The Artful Escape and Last Stop delayed to 2021". VideoGamer.com. https://www.videogamer.com/news/12-minutes-the-artful-escape-and-last-stop-delayed-to-2021. 
  37. ↑ "ABOUT" (in en-US). http://twelveminutesgame.com/about-2/. 
  38. ↑ Dornbush, Jonathon (March 13, 2019). "Solar Ash Kingdom: Hyper Light Drifter Devs Reveal New Game". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/13/solar-ash-kingdom-hyper-light-drifter-devs-reveal-new-game. 
  39. ↑ Ramée, Jordan (July 30, 2021). "A Memoir Blue Uses Music, 2D And 3D Animation To Tell Story Without Dialogue". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-memoir-blue-uses-music-2d-and-3d-animation-to-tell-story-without-dialogue/1100-6494550/. 
  40. ↑ "'Neon White' is a new game for Switch and PC from the guy behind 'Donut County'" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/neon-white-switch-pc-donut-county-ben-esposito-225027890.html. 
  41. ↑ "Annapurna will launch Stray on the PS5 in 2021" (in en-US). June 11, 2020. https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/11/annapurna-will-launch-stray-on-the-ps5-in-2021/. 
  42. ↑ "Gorgeous PlayStation Exclusive Hohokum Surprise-Launches on Steam" (in en-US). June 11, 2020. https://www.ign.com/articles/hohokum-steam-release-date-out-now. 
  43. ↑ Wales, Matt (April 15, 2021). "Hindsight will explore memories after the death of a loved one". Rock Paper Shotgun. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/hindsight-is-an-upcoming-narrative-exploration-game-about-memories-and-loss. 
  44. ↑ "Imaginative new puzzle game Storyteller lets you craft your own narrative". July 29, 2021. https://www.destructoid.com/storyteller-imaginative-new-puzzle-game/. 
  45. ↑ Cook, Adam. "Mundaun is relaunching for current gen consoles with Annapurna on publishing duties". https://www.godisageek.com/2023/06/mundaun-is-relaunching-for-current-gen-consoles-with-annapurna-on-publishing-duties/. 
  46. ↑ Kuhnke, Oisin (June 12, 2022). "Cocoon is an orb exploring, puzzle adventure game from Inside's lead gameplay designer". https://www.vg247.com/cocoon-is-an-orb-exploring-puzzle-adventure-game-from-insides-lead-gameplay-designer. 
  47. ↑ Purchese, Robert (December 10, 2021). "Falcon Age dev reveals new game as Thirsty Suitors" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-12-09-falcon-age-dev-reveals-new-game-as-thirsty-suitors. 
  48. ↑ Favis, Elise. "The making of 'Open Roads,' a game about mothers, daughters and road trips" (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/02/04/open-roads-mother-daughter-game/. 
  49. ↑ Nelson, Will (July 28, 2022). "'Bounty Star' combines "post-post-apocalyptic" Western action with mechs". https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/bounty-star-combines-post-post-apocalyptic-western-action-with-mechs-3278862. 
  50. ↑ Scullion, Chris (June 29, 2023). "Annapurna’s Ghost Bike is the next game from the creator of cult favourite Nidhogg". https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/annapurnas-ghost-bike-is-the-next-game-from-the-creator-of-cult-favourite-nidhogg/. 
  51. ↑ Devore, Jordan (July 28, 2022). "Flock is a co-op flying game with such a wholesome vibe". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/flock-game-flying-shepherd-co-op-richard-hogg-hollow-ponds-annapurna/. Retrieved July 28, 2022. 
  52. ↑ https://venturebeat.com/games/annapurna-reveals-launch-dates-for-open-roads-and-flock/
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth Is Annapurna Interactive's First In-House Game" (in en). https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/06/29/blade-runner-2033-labyrinth-is-annapurna-interactives-first-in-house-game. 
  54. ↑ Mejia, Ozzie (July 28, 2022). "Forever Ago hits the road during the Annapurna Interactive Showcase". Shacknews. https://www.shacknews.com/article/131566/forever-ago-hits-the-road-during-the-annapurna-interactive-showcase. Retrieved July 28, 2022. 
  55. ↑ Radulovic, Petrana (June 28, 2022). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is the newest game from Sayonara Wild Hearts developers". https://www.polygon.com/23186346/lorelei-and-the-laser-eyes-trailer-nintendo-switch. 
  56. ↑ Stewart, Marcus (July 28, 2022). "Dinosaur Survival Game The Lost Wild Gets Suspenseful New Trailer". Gameinformer. https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/07/28/dinosaur-survival-game-the-lost-wild-gets-suspenseful-new-trailer. Retrieved July 28, 2022. 
  57. ↑ Scullion, Chris (June 29, 2023). "Lushfoil Photography Sim will let players explore real-life locations in UE5". Video Games Chronicle. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/lushfoil-photography-sim-will-let-players-explore-real-life-locations-in-ue5/. Retrieved June 29, 2023. 
  58. ↑ Van Allen, Eric (April 20, 2021). "Blendo Games partners with Annapurna for its immersive space FPS Skin Deep". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/stories/blendo-games-partners-with-annapurna-for-its-immersive-space-fps-skin-deep-626638.phtml. Retrieved April 21, 2021. 
  59. ↑ Ngan, Liv (July 28, 2022). "Silent Hill: Townfall is a new entry to the series from Stories Untold developer No Code". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/silent-hill-townfall-is-a-new-entry-to-the-series-from-stories-untold-developer-no-code. Retrieved October 19, 2022. 
  60. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (June 29, 2023). "'to a T' is a coming-of-age game about a T-posing teenager". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/to-a-t-is-a-coming-of-age-game-about-a-t-posing-teenager-191135661.html. Retrieved June 29, 2023. 
  61. ↑ Romano, Sal (June 29, 2023). "Annapurna Interactive and Glass Revolver announce action RPG We Kill Monsters for PC". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/annapurna-interactive-and-glass-revolver-announce-action-rpg-we-kill-monsters-for-pc. Retrieved June 29, 2023. 

External links



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