Among us was released in 2018, but it was in 2020 that the game absolutely blew up. The social deduction game grew from a simple concept with a single card to a global phenomenon that attracted attention more than six months ago. billion monthly active players in November 2020, according to defunct research group SuperData. Among us is free to play on mobile and $5 on consoles, but add in the wearables and you have a lot of money to work with. Developer InnerSloth announced Friday during Summer Game Fest that it will use that money to create an indie fund called Outersloth.
“It’s no secret that the games industry has been going through a lot of turmoil with layoffs and a lack of funding,” the developer said in a press release. “Innersloth is incredibly lucky to have been able to achieve success and remain truly independent: no investors, no publishers, no takeovers. This is all thanks to the support of players and industry friends.”
To date, Outersloth has funded nine games. Here’s how Outersloth describes them:
– Battle Suit AcesTrinket Studio — From the makers of Battle Chief BrigadeThis card-battling RPG lets you lead your own epic story in expandable mecha battlesuits.
– Project DosaOuterloop Studio — From the makers of Thirsty suitorsDiscover and cook new dosa recipes, help the locals and fight enemies in your mech to reunite with your loved ones.
– Mossfield ArchivesStudio Any Percent — A relaxing and beautiful game about exploring and building connections.
– Villain Embezzlement, HUSKRAFTS — A roguelike spaceman for the new age. Master your aerial skills and soar through a galaxy inspired by Arabic futurism.
– ONE BTN BOSSES, Midnight Munchies – It’s in the name. Push, tap and bash your way through galactic bosses and upgrade your ship.
-Mars First LogisticsShape Shop – Build physically simulated rovers and transport awkwardly shaped cargo across the surface of Mars.
Outersloth also finances new games Venba studio Visai Games; El Paso, Elsewhere developer Strange Scaffold; And a new studio called Coldblood Incfounded by A Celeste developer and game engine Murder maker. Led by Among Us CEO Forest Willard and communications director Victoria Tran, Outersloth is not a publisher: “We want to fund your game,” Outersloth wrote on his website. ‘We don’t want to publish your game. We don’t want your IP. We just want fun, original and smart games to be made. And we want to make that as friendly as possible.”
The financing model, according to Outersloth’s website, is “recoup and reshare,” meaning it recoups its investment and then shares the revenue. Outersloth wants to fund games with a budget between $50,000 and $2 million.
Given the state of the industry – studio closures, layoffs and a severe lack of funding – Outersloth couldn’t have been announced at a better time.