New Publishing Label Balor Games Acquires Humble Games Catalog and Is Seeking New Indies
We interview Balor Games leadership about their acquisition of the Humble Games catalog and what sorts of indie projects they're most interested in supporting.
A new indie publishing label is entering the industry with an ambitious vision for what it calls “Triple I” publishing. Good Games Group has announced the launch of Balor Games, a new label focused on long-term stewardship of impactful independent titles while maintaining the creative independence that defines the indie space. The team is made up of many ex-Humble Games veterans who helped establish the publisher originally.
The announcement also comes alongside a major consolidation of publishing catalogs. Good Games Group confirmed it has acquired Ziff Davis’ game publishing business related to the Humble Games catalog, along with the full Firestoke Games portfolio.
As a result, more than 50 indie titles are now reunited under the leadership team that previously helped publish them, including well-known games such as Slay the Spire, SIGNALIS, Coral Island, Forager, A Hat in Time, Monaco, and Wizard of Legend.
Balor Games is led by former Humble Games executives Alan Patmore and Mark Nash, who are positioning the new label not just as a publisher but as what they describe as a “cultural curator” for independent games. The company’s strategy centers on providing long-term lifecycle support, community development, and publishing expertise while allowing studios to retain the creative identity that makes indie games unique.
Alongside supporting its existing catalog, Balor Games is also actively signing new projects and expanding its publishing operations.
To learn more about the company’s vision for Triple I publishing, its plans for supporting developers, and what this new label means for the future of independent games, we spoke directly with the team at Balor Games.
Mark Nash (left) and Alan Patmore (right)
What is the reason for wanting to acquire these catalogs, other than working with the teams again?
Balor Games: The Humble Games and Firestoke catalogs represent some of the strongest and most impactful titles in independent gaming. For us, the acquisition was about following through on our commitment to long-term stewardship rather than transactional, one-off publishing arrangements. We believe deeply in the developers behind these games, many of whom we signed at Humble Games, and in the communities they have built. Reuniting with these studios under Balor Games allows us to provide them with consistent, long-term support and gives them a stable publishing partner invested in their continued success.
What can Balor Games (GGG) bring to add value and support?
Balor Games: Balor Games is fundamentally a developer-first publisher. Our leadership team comes from a developer background, and that perspective shapes how we operate. We do not apply a one-size-fits-all publishing template. Instead, we provide bespoke publishing services tailored to the specific needs of each studio.
Our goal is to meet teams where they are and help them succeed in the areas where support will make the greatest impact, which can include platform expansion, lifecycle management, marketing strategy, or community development. We view the developers we work with as inventors. Our role is to believe in their vision and give them the operational and strategic backing required to bring that vision to its fullest potential.
This is a huge influx of partnerships. How is the team structured to handle dozens of new partners?
Balor Games: Many of these partnerships are not new relationships. We’ve been working with a significant number of these teams under a sub-licensing agreement since 2024, and for others, this represents a reunion rather than a first introduction. We already have experience operating at this scale and supporting large catalogs effectively.
Our approach is to evaluate each game individually and invest strategically based on its specific needs. For example, we worked closely with the Coral Island team to support the implementation of cross-play multiplayer, a meaningful investment designed to extend the game’s lifecycle and strengthen its community. That type of tailored, hands-on support is central to how we manage our portfolio.
What does this mean for Humble Games publishing going forward? Is Balor involved in future Humble Games titles, or just the existing catalog?
Balor Games: We acquired Ziff Davis’s game publishing business under the Humble Games label. As a result, those titles are now part of the Balor Games portfolio. This includes both released games and titles currently in active development, such as Billie Bust Up, Threads of Time, Town of Zoz, and Wild Blue Skies.
Going forward, these projects will be released and operate under the Balor Games label.
Can you share specifics about the structure of the publishing agreements? What makes Balor an appealing partner for developers?
Balor Games: As a bespoke publisher, we tailor our agreements and level of support to the needs of each developer. We don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach. If you’re looking for common threads, at a foundational level, we believe strongly in studios maintaining ownership of their intellectual property and developers retaining creative control over their work.
Our role is to provide infrastructure, expertise, connections, and capital without compromising a studio’s creative identity. We also believe developers partner with us because they want a publisher who believes in fostering their long-term success, not one focused solely on short-term returns.
Is the team actively scouting for new developers? Can indie teams reach out?
Balor Games: Yes! Indie developers interested in partnering with us can reach out through BalorGames.com. We are actively signing new projects and continuing to invest in games at various stages of development. For example, we are currently working with Affray Interactive, the team behind the upcoming co-op horror tactical shooter SCP: 5K.
We are also interested in speaking with studios that have back catalogs they may wish to revive as a way to fund their future projects. Our approach is not limited to new releases; we believe in the long-term value of great games and fostering the communities around them.
What genres, platforms, or studio types are most appealing right now?
Balor Games: We primarily focus on professional indie developers across a wide range of genres and studio sizes. We are not constrained to a specific platform or category.
That said, we are particularly drawn to games with a strong social element. This does not necessarily mean multiplayer. It can mean games that foster conversation, community engagement, and shared experiences among players. In today’s market, it’s often not enough to build a great game. The games that thrive are those that inspire discussion and bring communities together. We are committed not only to helping build outstanding games, but to nurturing the communities that sustain them.
Anything else you would like to communicate to a developer-centric audience?
Balor Games: Balor Games was built to support the development community. We take on the operational and business complexities of publishing so that studios can focus on what they do best: creating exceptional games.
Our goal is straightforward. When you partner with Balor Games, you gain a long-term collaborator who is invested in your studio’s future and committed to helping your game reach its full potential.
Publishing is often described as a process of “picking winners.” We see it differently. Our role is not to select winners from the sidelines. It is to work alongside talented studios and help them become winners through heartfelt belief in their vision, bespoke support, and long-term stewardship.
