Summary
- Limbo producer Dino Patti reacquired indie studio Jumpship from the Thunderful Group after selling it in 2022.
- Patti plans to take Jumpship in a new direction focused on bold reimagining and storytelling innovation.
- The indie developer may see the revival of a scrapped project or the creation of something entirely new under Patti’s leadership.
Limbo co-producer Dino Patti has regained control of Jumpship in a new acquisition, less than three years after selling the British studio to Sweden’s Thunderful Group. Besides Limbo, he is also known for working on 2022’s Somerville, which was also Jumpship’s debut title.
The past few years have been very eventful for indie developer Jumpship, which has undergone two acquisitions as well as a restructuring since the release of its first game. In November 2022, co-founder Dino Patti sold the studio to the Thunderful Group, the publisher behind games such as Planet of Lana, right around the time of Somerville‘s launch. However, despite the sale, Patti continued at the company as his team retained creative control post acquisition. Then in November 2024, the Swedish conglomerate carried out layoffs at the UK-based developer and binned the project described as Somerville‘s spiritual successor. In a new development, it has been revealed that Patti has bought back Jumpship, resulting in a full circle moment.
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On social media, Patti announced his reacquisition of Jumpship, starting a “new chapter” for the studio that was established in 2017. Highlighting the change of circumstances from the last time he owned the company, the Danish entrepreneur said that the studio is “empty of employees” in the aftermath of the layoffs that took place last year. Owing to this, he added that the way forward would be “entirely different.” However, at the same time, the former Playdead lead noted the importance of “moving forward with a bold and bright vision” and talked about the need for “fresh thinking” in the industry when it comes to the treatment of devs in particular.
Patti Reveals What’s Next for the Somerville Developer
Heralding a major change in Jumpship’s strategy, Patti shared that the studio is set to go in a “completely new direction,” as it looks to come up with a “bold reimagining” of how its teams can “create and thrive.” The Limbo co-producer also mentioned the company’s vision to leverage “ambition and synergy with great talent” for unlocking “new possibilities.” Moreover, he shared that more information in this regard would arrive soon and emphasized on Jumpship’s continued focus on “emotion-driven storytelling, gameplay and innovation.”
Interestingly, besides taking back ownership of the indie studio, Patti recently made movements elsewhere as well, per GameIndustry.biz. He reportedly bought a stake in the Viewfinder creator, Sad Owl Studios, which is also headquartered in the UK. Further, the source stated that the Denmark-based producer also took upon the role of strategic advisor at Jumpship’s former parent, Thunderful.
Given the studio’s next game after Somerville was officially scrapped only a few months ago, there are chances that the new Jumpship owner may try to resurrect the project. However, Patti’s comments about going in a new direction may also hint that something else created from scratch may take center stage at the indie developer.
- Released
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July 21, 2010
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
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Playdead
- Publisher(s)
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Playdead