Premier strategy publisher Hooded Horse has stepped forward to assume publishing responsibilities for Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, the critically acclaimed final release from Mimimi Games. This transition marks a significant moment in the gaming industry as it ensures the preservation and continued availability of what many consider one of 2023’s finest gaming achievements.
Mimimi Games, renowned for their mastery of the stealth-tactics genre, made the difficult decision to close their studio in late 2023, citing the mounting pressures of modern game development and its impact on their team’s well-being. The studio’s co-founder Johannes Roth expressed confidence in the new partnership, noting their appreciation for Hooded Horse’s approach to indie publishing and their potential to expand the game’s reach to new audiences.
The closure of Mimimi Games brought an end to a remarkable 15-year journey that produced several genre-defining titles, including Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and Desperados 3. Their final masterpiece, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, received widespread acclaim and earned PC Gamer’s Best Stealth Game of 2023 award, solidifying their legacy in the gaming industry.
Shadow Gambit distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to the stealth-tactics genre, setting players loose in a fantasy Caribbean world complete with ghost ships and supernatural powers. The game garnered particular praise for its unique implementation of save-scumming mechanics, incorporating them naturally into the gameplay through time-manipulation abilities. This creative decision earned the game an impressive 87% rating from PC Gamer, with reviewer Dominic Tarason highlighting its excellence in squad-based stealth strategy.
Prior to the studio’s closure, Mimimi Games managed to release two substantial expansion packs, Zagan’s Ritual and Yuki’s Wish, completing their vision for the game. Roth confirmed that Shadow Gambit has reached its final form, suggesting that while no new content will be forthcoming, players can experience the complete vision of this acclaimed title under Hooded Horse’s stewardship.
The decision to transfer publishing duties to Hooded Horse appears particularly fitting given the publisher’s growing reputation in the strategy gaming space. As an up-and-coming force in the industry, Hooded Horse has demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and promoting high-quality strategy titles, making them a natural custodian for Mimimi’s farewell project.
Mimimi’s closure highlights the increasingly challenging landscape of modern game development, where even critically successful studios struggle with the personal toll of creating ambitious titles. The studio’s frank acknowledgment of these challenges in their closure announcement resonated throughout the industry, sparking conversations about sustainable development practices and work-life balance in game creation.
The transition to Hooded Horse ensures that Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew will remain accessible to players, preserving Mimimi’s final contribution to the gaming world. The partnership represents not just a business arrangement but a commitment to maintaining the legacy of one of the industry’s most innovative stealth-tactics developers.
As Hooded Horse takes the helm of this celebrated title, the gaming community watches with interest to see how they will honor and promote Mimimi’s final masterpiece. The publisher’s track record suggests that Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew will find a fitting home among their growing portfolio of strategy titles, ensuring that new players can continue to discover and enjoy this remarkable gaming achievement for years to come.
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