I don’t know — I’m starting to think that this indie-gaming business is going somewhere.
A couple of industry veterans are certainly thinking that way, and that’s why they started a new indie-gaming publishing company called Rebel Machine.
Public-relations veteran Tom Ohle (currently the head of PR firm Evolve) and Killzone 3 director Khaled Ibrahimi (partner at Rise of the Triad studio Interceptor Entertainment) have teamed up to found Rebel Machine.
The new company is setting out to help indie-game makers find success. That means backing independent studios with promotion, development aid, and business solutions.
“I’ve spent a long time in video game PR/marketing –12 years and counting– so certainly we’re able to help devs on the promotional side,” Ohle wrote in a blog post on Rebel Machine’s website. “My cohort, Khaled Ibrahimi, has spent his career on the other side of the coin — development, that is — and, as such, we’re able to help with production issues, dev pipelines, managing a virtual team, and everything else you need to do to get a game out the door.”
Ohle and Ibrahimi will serve as the joint chief executive officers of the new venture.
Both men say they are aware that many developers have a negative opinion of publishers. That’s why Rebel Machine is already looking for feedback from studios. The company has a survey on its site and wants to hear from anyone who makes game.
“We want to bring great games into the spotlight, games that push our medium forward,” wrote Ohle. “We’re looking for development partners who share our passion for incredible gameplay, beautiful artwork, and compelling narrative.”
Rebel Machine is already looking for games to publish. It has an open invitation on its website to studios that are looking for help. So far, the company doesn’t have any games under its project page.