Curve Games Bets on Wyldheart for Next Growth Phase
London publisher Curve Games has secured its largest deal in recent years, backing a new co-op fantasy RPG as it pursues a more ambitious market strategy.
Curve Games has announced a major publishing partnership for Wyldheart, a cooperative action role-playing game developed by independent studio Wayfinder Studios. This agreement represents the largest investment in the publisher's recent history, signaling a significant shift in its strategic direction. The deal comes shortly after Curve was acquired by Nazara Technologies in May 2025, marking a new era for the London-based company.
The move is designed to position Curve for greater competition in the premium independent market, often referred to as the AA or Triple-I sector. By backing Wyldheart, the publisher aims to support games with strong creative visions and commercial potential, moving beyond its traditional catalog of casual hits to capture a broader audience in established and growing markets, including Asia.
Building on existing RPG success
Wyldheart marks a return to the role-playing genre, a space where Curve has already found success with its For The King franchise. The new title blends traditional RPG freedom with survival mechanics and flexible drop-in, drop-out multiplayer. This approach allows players to share a persistent world with friends or explore alone, aiming to create a long-term community rather than a one-time purchase experience.
The game has generated substantial organic interest before its official release. According to data reported by GN technics/gaming, the title has accumulated over 375,000 wishlists on Steam and attracted more than 12 million organic views. Additionally, the project raised €248,000 on Kickstarter and built a Discord community of over 6,000 members, indicating a solid foundation of eager players.
Strategic shift toward premium titles
This partnership reflects Curve’s intent to back distinctive games that can compete in higher-stakes market segments. The publisher is leveraging its recent acquisition to make bolder moves, identifying studios capable of producing titles with global appeal. Wyldheart complements the existing portfolio, which includes hits like Human Fall Flat and Wobbly Life, by offering a more complex and enduring gameplay loop.
However, this ambition comes with a trade-off. Entering the premium independent space requires higher financial stakes and longer development cycles compared to the smaller, quicker-to-market titles that historically defined Curve’s catalog. If the game fails to retain its early audience, the significant investment could strain the publisher’s resources. The success of this deal will depend on whether the community momentum can translate into sustained long-term engagement.
Developer confidence in new partner
Wayfinder Studios, founded by former directors from DICE and Embark, stated that finding the right partner was critical to building on its early momentum. Dennis Brännvall, co-founder and CEO of Wayfinder, noted that Curve quickly understood the studio's vision and target audience. This alignment suggests a collaborative relationship focused on long-term growth rather than just a transactional publishing agreement.
Curve CEO Stuart Dinsey expressed enthusiasm for the project, citing the team’s immediate connection to the game’s concept. He emphasized that the partnership fits within a broader strategy of investing in talented independent studios. As details regarding release plans remain under wraps, the focus remains on how effectively both parties can convert the current hype into a stable, profitable franchise.
