GOG and indie publisher Retrovibe have launched a joint initiative intended to help independent developers take games from production to release across PC storefronts and consoles.
Called Retrovibe by GOG, the program combines Retrovibe’s publishing work with GOG’s platform knowledge, marketing resources and established PC gaming audience. The initiative is designed to provide support across development, launch planning and post-release activity rather than focusing only on storefront distribution.
“Retrovibe by GOG combines Retrovibe’s multiplatform publishing experience with the expertise and reach of GOG. Together, we help independent developers bring distinctive games to players across PC storefronts and consoles, with hands-on support from development and marketing to launch and beyond.” — Retrovibe by GOG
Support from development through launch
The companies said developers accepted into the initiative can receive assistance in several areas. That includes project funding, production guidance, quality assurance and hands-on development support intended to help teams prepare their games for release.
- Funding and production: Project financing, production guidance and QA support.
- Marketing and positioning: Help defining a game’s audience, planning campaigns and presenting its distinguishing features.
- Community outreach: Public relations, creator partnerships, events and community campaigns before and after launch.
- Platform publishing: Storefront guidance, platform relationships, porting, certification and coordinated releases on PC and consoles.
- Post-launch support: Assistance with updates, promotions and sales planning after release.
Retrovibe and GOG said the partnership is intended to give developers additional routes to market while providing practical help with administrative and platform requirements. The companies described their roles as complementary: Retrovibe brings direct publishing experience, while GOG contributes expertise connected to its PC platform, marketing capabilities and player community.
The initiative also reflects Retrovibe’s focus on publishing independent games across multiple platforms. For developers, the listed services cover steps that can require separate specialists, including console certification, porting, campaign planning and coordination among different storefronts.
Michał Kiciński co-founded both GOG and Retrovibe. GOG separated from CD Projekt late last year and has continued to develop its own direction as a company, including a previously announced Linux version of GOG Galaxy. Retrovibe by GOG is the latest publicly announced collaboration connecting the two businesses.
The companies said their publishing assistance can continue after a game’s initial release, with planned support for updates, promotions, sales strategy and other opportunities intended to help projects maintain an audience beyond launch.
