Publisher Thunderful stated that their latest release, SteamWorld Build, “fell slightly short of expectations,” amidst the ongoing restructuring within the company, which they believe is “off to a good start.”
The game marked the newest addition to the SteamWorld series, introducing strategic elements and base-building gameplay. Its launch took place in early December of the preceding year.
In the recent financial report from the company, Thunderful CEO Martin Walfisz attributed the game’s performance to the genre choice, suggesting it wasn’t ideally suited for the Nintendo Switch, a platform traditionally strong for the series. Despite contributing to a record high in Q4 sales, Walfisz expressed disappointment in the December sales figures.
“We are pleased to see new momentum surrounding our primary intellectual property. However, sales during December were not as robust as we anticipated,” stated Walfisz. “We believe this is due to the game’s genre not resonating strongly with our dedicated target audience and its compatibility challenges with the Nintendo Switch, a platform pivotal for SteamWorld games.”
Thunderful is currently undergoing a “restructuring program” affecting approximately 20 percent of its workforce, a decision announced in January.
Walfisz mentioned that despite overall company losses, the restructuring initiative has had a positive launch. Despite strong game sales, the losses in the distribution sector couldn’t be compensated for.
The restructuring aims to rectify past overinvestments, including the acquisition of Bridge Constructor publisher Headup for €11m (£9.39m) in 2021. Thunderful is now contemplating the possibility of selling the company, as its focus diverges from Thunderful’s new strategy.
“[Headup’s] business model, primarily centered on releasing indie games, does not align with Thunderful’s revised strategy,” explained Walfisz. “Moreover, having two separate publishing operations is redundant, and henceforth, the Group’s game publishing activities will be consolidated under Thunderful Publishing.”
Thunderful’s restructuring isn’t unique within the Swedish gaming industry. Embracer Group, another prominent player, recently announced layoffs affecting eight percent of its workforce, as its own restructuring enters its advanced stages.
