SteamWorld Build Didn’t Meet Expectations; Publisher Headup For Sale

Thunderful, the creator behind the popular SteamWorld franchise, has shared disappointing news concerning its latest release, SteamWorld Build. Despite anticipation, the city-building installment, unveiled in July 2023, didn't live up to sales expectations. This comes alongside news of potential restructuring efforts within the company, which could include layoffs and the sale of Headup, a publisher Thunderful acquired not long ago.

Martin Walfisz, the CEO of Thunderful, conveyed through the December 2023 fiscal report that SteamWorld Build's market performance was not as successful as hoped. He suggested that the game's genre might not have been the best fit for the series' dedicated fanbase, especially considering the importance of the Nintendo Switch platform to the franchise's success. Walfisz shared his insights, revealing that both the game's genre mismatch with the audience's expectations and its suboptimal fit for the Switch contributed to the underwhelming sales.

Moreover, Thunderful has put a hold on the development of another anticipated SteamWorld game, SteamWorld Headhunter, though specifics behind this decision remain unclear.

Thunderful is facing a period of significant change, with a restructuring plan that could see the company's workforce reduced by up to 20%. This move is aimed at enhancing profitability and rectifying issues related to previous overspending. A clear example of such spending was the acquisition of Headup, a German publishing firm bought for $13.3 million in 2021, which Thunderful is now considering selling. This indicates a potential revision of their strategic acquisitions.

The future of Thunderful and the SteamWorld franchise is currently in a state of flux. The less-than-satisfactory performance of SteamWorld Build, coupled with the company's restructuring initiatives, highlights the obstacles Thunderful faces as it navigates the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.