Innovative Governance Model at Summer Eternal
Aleksandar Gavrilović, a key figure at Summer Eternal, has introduced a governance model that diverges from traditional structures, drawing inspiration from the FairShares concept. This model aims to encapsulate the interests of all stakeholders involved in the studio, including the managing cooperative, contributor cooperative comprising both employees and freelancers, investors, and, notably, the players themselves.
In a recent announcement regarding the player cooperative, Gavrilović highlighted a significant shift in the typical consumer cooperative framework. “Traditionally, these organizations allow consumers to own the enterprises they purchase from,” he explained. “However, we have chosen to position our players within a non-profit organization. This means that while players do not extract profits for personal gain, they have the power to decide how the organization’s income is allocated. This initiative is a crucial step toward rebuilding the trust that has been repeatedly fractured within the gaming industry. Our goal is to foster a new mindset where the developer’s accountability to the player extends beyond the mere act of purchase.”
In light of the canceled Disco Elysium expansion, the studio’s approach to financing and governance is refreshingly innovative. While worker-owned cooperatives are not entirely new in the gaming sector, Summer Eternal is pioneering a model that offers ownership stakes and profit-sharing opportunities to both freelancers and customers. Importantly, this is not merely a token gesture; players will have a genuine democratic influence on the studio’s trajectory, supported by a share of 5% of the profits.
For those interested in becoming player-stakeholders, Summer Eternal is set to launch its inaugural product: the Summer Eternal Anthology Vol. 1. This anthology features a blend of essays exploring the current landscape of gaming and the industry, with contributions from notable figures such as David Gaider, a writer for Dragon Age, and Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister and economist at Valve. The anthology is available for preorder for just one more day, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the studio from its inception.
