Devolver has introduced Big Fan Games, a new publishing label focused on adaptations of movies, television shows, and comic books

A new label dedicated to publishing indie games inspired by various entertainment IPs, such as movies and comics, has been established by Devolver Digital.

This label is comprised of the Good Shepherd team, which became part of Devolver after being acquired in 2021. Previously, Good Shepherd worked on projects like "John Wick Hex" (2019) developed by Bithell Games and "Hellboy Web of the Wyrd" (2023) by Upstream Games, and this will now be their ongoing focus.

Helming Big Fan Games as general manager is Lincoln Hershberger, who brings 27 years of experience from positions at Westwood Studios, EA, and Twitch. He joined the team the previous year.

Joining him is Amanda Kruse, serving as the head of business development. Since 2019, Kruse has been with Good Shepherd and has a background in TV and film, having worked on major films like "Hunger Games" and "Twilight." She's notably recognized for establishing and managing Lionsgate's games division.

“I love adaptation,” Kruse shared with GamesIndustry.biz, highlighting their unique specialization within Devolver. She emphasized her enthusiasm for focusing on game adaptations.

Hershberger also mentioned the interest from Devolver’s co-founder, Nigel Lowrie, in launching the label to explore fan-favorite IPs. While Devolver is known for original indie games, Big Fan seeks to carve a niche by developing adaptations. Hershberger brings experience from his time at companies where he worked on projects related to "Dune," "Blade Runner," and "Star Wars."

“Our aim is to be associated with high-quality game adaptations someday, while Devolver allowed us to concentrate on games and developers,”

Amanda Kruse, Big Fan Games

Big Fan Games operates like a streamlined publisher offering financial, marketing, and community support among other services, leveraging Devolver's resources when needed.

Kruse compared their team to a "SWAT team," alluding to their specialized skills without redundant roles, and emphasized their collaborative approach when engaging with partners like PlayStation.

She further articulated their vision of being synonymous with quality, focusing on adaptations rather than branding efforts.

Their adaptation process is unique since Big Fan doesn't own the IPs. Hershberger described a scenario from Gamescom, illustrating their method of connecting passionate developers with the owners of desired IPs to create genuine game adaptations.

Kruse pointed out that the typical model where IP holders search for developers isn't always effective, whereas a developer-led approach fosters successful game development.

Besides connecting developers with IP owners, Big Fan uses its expertise to navigate complexities in adaptation, such as licensing and union issues, easing the burden on developers.

"Indie games let you explore unexplored facets of IPs, enabling risks not feasible with multimillion-dollar projects,”

Lincoln Hershberger, Big Fan Games

While not against movie tie-ins, the company prefers IPs without ongoing developments, offering more creative latitude.

Kruse noted the advantage of working on IPs not tied to major releases, which brings a unique energy as the game becomes the prime focus. However, she clarified they are open to diverse projects, not solely nostalgia-driven ones.

Both Kruse and Hershberger are passionate about game adaptations, as evidenced in their discussions about various industry shifts, including Disney's strategic embrace of indies underlining this trend.

Hershberger cited Disney as an example of valuing indie games for prestige and the freedom they offer to explore new aspects of their IPs, a trend gaining traction with other studios.

Currently, Big Fan is managing six projects aiming to release three to five games annually.

This points to a shifting landscape for game adaptations, which are gradually shedding the stigma of being inferior and rushed products, unlike their counterparts in film and TV.

"Adaptation shouldn't be seen negatively," Kruse remarked, underlining the team’s enthusiasm for delving into worlds like "Judge Dredd" and "John Wick" to create engaging narratives.