Sweden’s Thunderful Gothenberg has undergone a significant transformation, emerging as Stormteller Games. This rebranding marks a pivotal moment in the developer’s journey, as reported by GamesBeat. The inaugural title to bear the Stormteller name is Lost in Random: The Eternal Die.
Embracing Collaboration and Sustainability
Studio head Johan Petersson, pictured, shared insights into the thoughtful process behind the new identity. “One thing we’ve done that has been quite great over the past year – and it’s basically taken a year to get to this point – is that we involved everybody, to make sure it represents everyone in the studio,” he explained. The initiative began last spring, with brainstorming sessions open to all team members. It quickly became evident that there was a strong desire to maintain a connection to Gothenburg.
Petersson emphasized the importance of blending the strengths of both studios as they move forward. “Our approach now is we try to take the best parts of both studios as we move forward. One of the things I’ve always been really adamant about is making sure we have a sustainable approach to making games, so making sure we don’t end up with crunch in the end,” he noted. This commitment to sustainability reflects a broader trend in the industry, prioritizing the well-being of developers alongside creative output.
Additionally, the studio’s philosophy centers around a gameplay-first approach. “We also approach games gameplay first, so kind of iterating until we find the fun in the games we’re making,” Petersson added, highlighting the iterative process that is essential to crafting engaging gaming experiences.
Thunderful Gothenberg was formed in 2017 through the merger of Image and Form and Zoink! Games, and this rebranding signifies not just a new name, but a renewed vision for the future of game development.
