Ludwig & Thor Team Up to Launch Offbrand Games

GeekySama
ILLUMINATION Gaming
3 min readJun 8, 2024

In a thrilling announcement at IGN Live 2024, popular YouTuber and streamer Ludwig introduced his new venture, Offbrand Games, a video game publishing company. Born from Ludwig’s passion for gaming and his desire to support indie developers, this initiative promises to bring significant changes to the gaming industry. The announcement was made alongside Thor AKA Pirate Software, a notable figure in the gaming community, who shared his excitement and vision for the new company.

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The Birth of Offbrand Games

Ludwig’s journey from game enthusiast to YouTube sensation has been marked by a deep love for video games. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a game journalist. Though he took a different path, his passion for gaming remained constant. Now, this passion has culminated in the creation of Offbrand Games, a company dedicated to publishing video games with a focus on fairness and support for indie developers.

Ludwig shared, “I’ve always wanted to be a part of the gaming industry in a way that felt meaningful. Offbrand Games is my chance to give back to the community that shaped my career.”

Thor’s Role and Vision

Thor, the Director of Strategy for Offbrand Games, brings extensive experience and enthusiasm to the table. Having run his own game studio, he understands the challenges faced by indie developers. His primary goal is to create an environment where developers are treated fairly and their games can thrive. Thor emphasizes mutual benefit and ensuring that players always come first.

“We’re here to support developers every step of the way,” Thor explained. “Our mission is to make sure that creativity and player satisfaction are at the forefront of everything we do.”

Major Announcements

During the announcement, Ludwig and Thor shared several exciting updates:

  1. First Game Publication — Rivals 2: Offbrand Games’ first publishing project is Rivals 2, a sequel to the popular platform fighter Rivals of Aether. Ludwig’s deep connection with platform fighters makes this an especially meaningful project for him. The game is set to release later this year, and fans are eagerly anticipating its launch.
  2. Collaborative Game Jam: Thor also announced a collaboration between Offbrand Games and his annual game jam. This event attracts thousands of participants, and the winners will receive invaluable feedback and support from Offbrand Games. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between indie developers and publishers, providing a platform for new talent to shine..

Commitment to the Community

Offbrand Games is built on the principle of community support. The company operates as a workers’ co-op, where employees have a say in the decision-making process. This approach ensures that the company’s actions align with the interests and values of its workers, who are passionate about creating great games.

Ludwig emphasized, “Our goal is to create an environment where everyone involved in game development feels valued and heard. We believe this will lead to the creation of truly remarkable games.”

Ludwig’s announcement of Offbrand Games marks a significant milestone in his career and the gaming industry. By prioritizing fairness, community support, and a love for gaming, Offbrand Games aims to revolutionize the way indie games are published. With exciting projects like Rivals 2 and collaborative events like the game jam, the future looks bright for both developers and gamers. This new venture promises to bring innovative and exciting games to the market while supporting the creators behind them.

In the words of Ludwig, “We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us and the indie games community.”

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GeekySama
ILLUMINATION Gaming

Neurodivergent teacher, gamer, writer, guitarist & entertainer. Chaotic Anime enthusiast and Indie Games connoisseur.