Annapurna Interactive, publisher of the Outer Wilds and more, is launching an internal development studio

Kentucky Route Zero gas station
Kentucky Route Zero gas station (Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

What you need to know

  • Annapurna Interactive is a publisher that primarily works with smaller indie developers, and has found a surprising number of real gems.
  • It has released incredible indie games like the Outer Wilds, Kentucky Route Zero, What Remains of Edith Finch, and more.
  • The publisher is still working with indie developers, like Sayonara Wild Hearts developer Simogo, but is looking to start their own studio.
  • Annapurna Interactive is looking for a game director and senior producer to kick off its new internal development studio.

If you're a fan of awesome indie games, you've likely heard of gems like What Remains of Edith Finch, Kentucky Route Zero, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and the critically acclaimed Outer Wilds. The one thread tying all of these fantastic games together is their publisher, Annapurna Interactive, who seems to have a knack for finding incredible titles to help release to the world. Now, according to a report from GamesIndustry.biz, the publisher is looking to start making their own games.

Annapurna Interactive has reportedly launched their own internal development studio to begin creating games in-house, and has started shopping around for a game director and senior producer to lead their first project. While there aren't any details about what to expect from this project, the publisher's President Nathan Gary did tell GamesIndustry.biz "We've had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world. Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can't wait to share more about what's to come—anything is possible."

It'll likely be a few years before we see anything concrete out of Annapurna Interactive's new in-house team, but if they're internally developed game is anything like some of the indie games they've helped publish in their few years in existence, I'm excited to see.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.