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Press release:
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada – March 4, 2024.
Nine Dots, best known for its critically acclaimed title Outward, announces a bold evolution in its business model.

While continuing to develop and publish their own games, Nine Dots is now opening its doors to passionate studios as a third-party publisher. This collaboration will see Nine Dots leverage its industry experience and expertise, as well as their unwavering commitment to sustainable development, across the indie landscape.

“My previous experiences as a developer working with publishers made it clear that such relationships were much more painful and difficult than they needed to be” says Guillaume Boucher-Vidal, CEO of Nine Dots.

“I started Nine Dots to prove that we could make games in a way that was more respectful to developers and to the audience, without compromising on productivity or quality. Now, it’s a natural next step to extend this vision of respect from the position of a publisher. I believe in creating value, rather than extracting it. This mindset will guide our decisions in business just like it did in game development. That is a promise.”

Nine Dots Publishing stands on a foundation of three core pillars:

Sustainable Development: Nine Dots wishes to entertain a friendly and fair partnership with the development studios, offering business terms way less aggressive than its competitors in the space. For instance, allowing royalties flows to the development studio from the very first copy sold.

The Nine Dots signature: A game published by Nine Dots should always appeal to a very specific group of demanding players! Through its published games, Nine Dots wish to create a recognizable signature, achieved through following a selection of pre-defined concepts. Nine Dots also understands the importance of focusing on what matters most – the game itself.

Ethical Workplace Practices: Nine Dots prioritizes healthy work-life balance, rejecting the dreaded “crunch time” in favor of well-being and long-term studio sustainability. This translates to a commitment to realistic schedules, fair compensation and employee support, ensuring vibrant teams with lasting creative output and above everything, project ownership for all.

“We’re not just publishing games; we’re helping amazing experiences to be shared with a greater audience,” Natasha Collin, Nine Dots COO and executive producer emphasizes.

“We partner with studios that share our vision, studios with unique voices and games that ignite passion. We’ll leverage our experience, network, and unwavering dedication to ethical practices to ensure their dreams reach the players they deserve, treating their production like ours in regards to care and investment.”

Nine Dots Publishing marks a new chapter for the studio, but its core values remain unchanged. This expansion is about amplifying the voices of creators, enriching the gaming landscape, and proving that success can be built on a foundation of sustainability, respect, and shared passion.

Stay tuned for more information about Nine Dots and its line-up.

Follow Nine Dots Studio on social media

• Website: https://www.ninedotsstudio.com/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NineDotsStudio

• Discord: https://discord.gg/u6ptdcU4WQ

About Nine Dots
Nine Dots creates (and now publishes!) games aimed at hardcore gamers with sophisticated tastes. The studio specializes in making games that would normally be out of scope for a studio of its size by refining management practices and focusing on creating the best work environment for the teams. Nine Dots Studio currently counts 28 employees, all based in Quebec City, Canada.

Jonas “O.J” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround