Penny Arcade Getting into Digital Distribution

Posted on April 3, 2008 - Filed Under Industry News, Indy Gaming |

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Hothead Games and Penny Arcade have partnered to form Greenhouse, a digital distribution platform dedicated to Independent developers. Greenhouse will give gamers an outlet to find games created by independent developers and gives independent developers a way to get their games published. Normally, big publishers are reluctant to publish what they consider “risky” games. In other words they only want to publish games they know will make money. Greenhouse gives independent developers a way to get their games published without meeting the big publishers rules. This could lead to more innovative games and games that break the mold.

“There are so many great games out there that you don’t hear about,” explained Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. “They’re too niche or too risky in terms of game play for the top publishers to be comfortable with distributing. We want the Greenhouse to be an alternative for these developers.”

Greenhouse is currently in beta and can be found at www.playgreenhouse.com.

Press Release Follows:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - April 2, 2008 - Hothead Games and Penny Arcade today announced the Greenhouse, a new distribution platform dedicated to supporting independent game development worldwide. Operated by the newly-formed company Greenhouse Interactive, the Greenhouse digital distribution platform will offer gamers a convenient alternative to traditional boxed games and showcase a careful selection of games that otherwise may be overlooked in a crowded retail marketplace. Built to supplement other online game delivery platforms, Greenhouse provides a content delivery method focused on independent developers, helping indie games and gamers come together.

“There are so many great games out there that you don’t hear about,” explained Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. “They’re too niche or too risky in terms of game play for the top publishers to be comfortable with distributing. We want the Greenhouse to be an alternative for these developers.”

As of today, Greenhouse Interactive offices in Vancouver are open, with the Greenhouse beta available at www.playgreenhouse.com. Greenhouse’s first game launch will be Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One - another shared project of the two companies. “Digital distribution opens so many doors for independent game development, arguably just like the VCR and DVD players did for indie films,” said Vlad Ceraldi of Hothead Games. “We believe in the Greenhouse as an opportunity to support other indie developers and complement the platforms and services currently out there, ensuring that the environment for such development firmly takes root and continues to grow.”

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