Three seasoned professionals in the UK gaming scene have come together to launch a new indie publishing outfit known as The CoLab.
This exciting new initiative is spearheaded by Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis. Newnham has a rich background with experience at companies like United Label, Fnatic, and Disney Interactive. Faulkner, on the other hand, has lent his expertise to Jagex, PlayFusion, and Bossa. Completing the trio, Lewis brings his vast experience from Codemasters and Criterion to the table.
The CoLab isn’t wasting any time, with three projects already on its roster. These include a heartwarming game code-named Campfire, a cyberpunk-inspired shooter called DeadWire, and a strategy title, Counter Clash. A notable feature of their mission is their collaboration with the charity Safe in Our World, prioritizing mental health support within the gaming industry. They’re deeply committed to supporting indie developers during what they describe as challenging times for the industry.
“We’re pushing for a revolution,” says CEO Newnham. “Our goal is to foster cooperation and collaboration in a sector that needs it more than ever.”
He elaborated on the negative trends in the industry, such as widespread layoffs attributed to ‘greedflation,’ which have highlighted the necessity for a significant shift in priorities. Traditionally, publishers have prioritized shareholder profits, resulting in a trend of prematurely released, overpriced games. Meanwhile, developers face hurdles like project cancellations, uncompensated labor, and even losing their intellectual property rights.
“The CoLab is dedicated to instigating meaningful change by advocating a counter-revolution in vision. We want to bring together creative game developers to share resources and thrive in a fiercely competitive environment. Our mission is to make every developer feel like an integral part of our collective journey, nurturing a culture that supports lasting relationships and meaningful success,” Newnham adds.
