Former Disney, Jagex, and Codemasters Veterans Launch New Publishing Venture, The CoLab

In an exciting development for the gaming world, three seasoned professionals from the UK have come together to launch a fresh indie publisher, The CoLab. This new venture is spearheaded by Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis. Each brings a wealth of experience, with Newnham having worked with United Label, Fnatic, and Disney Interactive. Faulkner’s career spans notable companies like Jagex, PlayFusion, and Bossa, while Lewis boasts a strong background with Codemasters and Criterion.

The CoLab is already making waves with three intriguing projects in its lineup. Among them is a soothing game currently known as Campfire, a cyberpunk shooter titled DeadWire, and a strategy offering called Counter Clash. Emphasizing mental health, the publisher is collaborating with the charity Safe in Our World, aiming to uphold the well-being of those working within the game industry during challenging times.

CEO Darren Newnham passionately remarked, “It’s time for a rebellion. We stand for cooperation and collaboration in an industry that desperately needs it.” He expressed a desire for change against a backdrop of industry struggles, mentioning the impact of extensive layoffs caused by the phenomenon he refers to as ‘greedflation’. According to Newnham, many publishers are excessively focused on pleasing shareholders, which often results in games being released in unfinished states at high prices. This business model has left developers grappling with issues like project cancellations, unpaid labor, and the loss of their intellectual property rights.

Newnham further elaborated on The CoLab’s mission: “Our aim is to help effect change with a counter-revolution in vision. We unite innovative game creators, share resources, and empower developers to thrive in a highly competitive market. Our goal is to make every developer who joins The CoLab an integral part of our collective, fostering a supportive environment that promotes long-term relationships and rewarding returns.” The CoLab is setting out to create a truly collaborative atmosphere, reshaping the landscape for indie developers and reinforcing a sense of community and sustainable success.