What's Happening?
Grasshopper Manufacture, the studio led by Japanese director Suda51, has ported much of its back catalog to Steam. However, the studio does not benefit significantly from these sales, as it is not the publisher for most of its games. Suda51 expressed that while the games perform well on Steam, the studio does not earn substantial revenue from these sales. The studio's new game, Romeo Is a Dead Man, is self-published with funding from parent company NetEase, allowing Grasshopper to retain more profits.
Why It's Important?
This situation highlights the financial challenges faced by game developers who do not own the publishing rights to their creations. Grasshopper's experience underscores the importance of publishing rights in the gaming industry, as they determine
the revenue distribution from sales. The studio's decision to self-publish its latest game reflects a strategic move to gain more control over its financial outcomes, which could influence other developers to consider similar approaches.
What's Next?
Grasshopper Manufacture may continue to explore self-publishing opportunities to maximize its revenue from future projects. The studio might also seek to renegotiate publishing agreements for its existing catalog to improve its financial position. Additionally, the success of Romeo Is a Dead Man could encourage Grasshopper to develop more self-published titles, potentially leading to greater creative freedom and financial stability.
