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Superhot Presents is a new funding initiative for independent games that will lend a helping hand in their development journey by providing financial support and industry advice. It comes from Polish developer and publisher Superhot Team, the minds behind the very successful slow-mo shooter Superhot. They really like the name, don’t they.
In an interview with PC Games Insider, Superhot Team director of special projects Callum Underwood went into greater depth on why the company started the fund, what it will offer independent developers, and the two games that are already on board.
The inception of Superhot Presents was motivated by three interlinking factors. ‘Firstly, we've done quite well out of our own games, so are thankfully able to afford to support other developers as well as continue to grow our own team,’ Underwood explained. ‘Secondly, Superhot received early support from communities such as Kickstarter – the game wouldn't have happened without that, so it's nice to think we can do the same for other developers. Finally, we think we've become pretty good at the whole "business in games" thing, so if we can offer money up to other developers with a side of unsolicited business advice, that feels like a smart move to make.’
The initiative offers funding to independent developers with a ‘hands off approach’. ‘We'll certainly use our business teams to support the developers where we can — platform introductions, contract help, analytics which lead to suggestions of sale percentage amounts and so on — but ideally, we work with developers who just need some support,’ Underwood clarified. ‘If you need a publisher, go to a publisher, there are some fantastic ones. If you just need some money to finish, or start, your game, that's where we sit.’
When asked about the future of Superhot Presents, Underwood stated that the developer and publisher would like to settle into a place along with its competitors, and continue to lend their expertise and support to promising indie titles. ‘I think we'd like to become a known and trusted little fund within the industry,’ Underwood stated, ‘We want to treat the developers we work with well and to make them money.’
Two games are already receiving support from Superhot Presents; the Frog Detective series by Grace Bruxner, and Knuckle Sandwich by Andrew Brophy. On the Superhot Presents site, the developers spoke a little more about their integration into the fund and their games. The Frog Detective games are very literal, but with a charming and ironic flair, as the titular character interviews other animals to crack the case. Knuckle Sandwich is a stylish RPG, melding a myriad of art directions and genres to tell the story of a boy looking for work in a big city.
‘I am very excited for this opportunity to work with Superhot as I approach the final stages of Knuckle Sandwich’s development,’ Brophy said. ‘With their support, I can confidently make my game the best version of itself and bring it to as many people as possible. That’s really cool!’
That is really cool. Superhot Presents are ‘already in discussions with other developers’, so watch this space for updates.
