Written by Ravil Muldagaliyev
In the grand scheme of the gaming industry, the indie games scene has always been the wild west. It’s a place where creativity runs rampant, where the underdogs can rise to the top, and where the unexpected becomes the norm. But there’s a new sheriff in town, and it’s called MAD MUSHROOM.
MAD MUSHROOM is not your average game publishing company. It’s a renegade, a maverick, a rebel with a cause. Co-owned by a band of Twitch streamers this company is all about giving power back to indie game developers, the true creators of the gaming world. It’s about cutting out the middle man and offering deals that are more than just fair – they’re downright revolutionary.
“We made MAD MUSHROOM to kind of cut out the middle man and really give much better offers to these developers.”
Sodapoppin, co-founder at Mad Mushroom
The Visionaries Behind MAD MUSHROOM
The team behind MAD MUSHROOM is as diverse as it is passionate and each member brings their unique perspective and expertise to the table. They’re gamers at heart, streamers by profession, and now, indie game publishers with a mission.
“I think with game publishing today. What type of things do I dislike about it? I don’t know the fact that like maybe every other game has to come out with an apology DLC. I mean about maybe 10 days afterward of the release.”
Asmongold, Co-founder at MAD MUSHROOM
These are not corporate suits detached from the gaming world. They’re in the trenches every day, playing games, interacting with their communities, and understanding what gamers want because they are gamers themselves. They know the ins and outs of the gaming industry, the highs and lows of game development, and the thrill of discovering a hidden gem in the vast sea of indie games.
A New Approach to Game Publishing
MAD MUSHROOM is all about shaking up the status quo. In a world where publishers often exert too much control over the creative process, MAD MUSHROOM is stepping in to tip the scales back in favor of indie game developers.
“We’ve seen plenty of times, especially recently, where games have come out because they need to come out by a certain time and they are not ready.”
Esfand, co-founder at MAD MUSHROOM
This is a refreshing change in an industry where indie game developers often find themselves at the mercy of publishers who dictate the terms of their creative output.
But MAD MUSHROOM is determined to do things differently. The company is committed to aligning with the creative vision of the indie game developers they work with, ensuring that the final product is a true reflection of the developer’s original concept.
They’re committed to ensuring that the creative vision of the game aligns with what the indie game developers have in mind. They’re not here to dictate but to collaborate, to bring the developers’ vision to life while providing the support and resources they need to make it happen.
“A lot of creativity is sometimes taken out of the control of the devs and placed into the hands of the publisher.”
Tips Out, Head of Strategy at MAD MUSHROOM
Leveraging the Power of Streaming
One of the unique advantages MAD MUSHROOM has over traditional publishers is its access to organic marketing. As streamers, they have a direct line to the gaming community.
“MAD MUSHROOM, unlike a lot of other publishers, we have access to marketing tools, because we are streamers, we can push games organically. We can show the game in a way that’s, you know, just people having fun. A lot of marketing feels like a bit detached and it might not catch people’s attention.”
Emiru, co-founder at MAD MUSHROOM
But it’s not just about marketing. It’s about building relationships. As Chris Kaleiki puts it, “If you can build an authentic relationship with your players and with the community through the creators, it’s critical.”
A Full Suite of Publishing Services
But MAD MUSHROOM is not just about marketing and creative control. They’re also offering a full suite of publishing services, including quality assurance, feedback during development, localization services, live ops, platform relationships, and financing.
As TipsOut explains, “We’re also looking to provide a number of other full suite publishing services, including quality assurance and feedback during development. Localization services, live ops, platform relationships, financing, and more.”
“Basically, anything any of the major publishers can do, MAD MUSHROOM can bring to the table and work with development teams to craft the right move forward and partnership that makes sense for them,” says Mike (Sibs) Silbowitz, Lead Advisor at MAD MUSHROOM.
A Passion for Gaming
At the heart of MAD MUSHROOM is a deep love for gaming. The team is made up of lifelong gamers who understand the industry from a player’s perspective. This gives them a unique insight into what makes a game truly stand out.
“I play these indie games all the time, all day, and I feel like relatability, understanding the space, making sure we’re still in touch, understanding the foundation and what can really help an indie game and what makes Indie game stand out and be better than the others, I think is very important,” says Sodapoppin.
As TipsOut says, “All of us at OTK are gamers at heart. That’s why we got into streaming. That’s why we got into content creation. And in some cases it’s why we play games every single day.”
They understand the gaming world because they’re a part of it. They know what makes a game stand out, what makes it special, and they’re committed to bringing those games to the forefront.
A Revolution in Indie Game Publishing
MAD MUSHROOM is more than just a game publishing company. It’s a revolution in the indie gaming industry. It’s a company that’s not afraid to shake things up, to challenge the status quo, and to put the power back in the hands of indie game developers. MAD MUSHROOM is set to redefine the relationship between indie game developers and publishers, promising a more equitable and collaborative approach.
As Asmongold puts it, “I think that really, for me personally, it’s such a cool experience right now because it really just feels real.”
In a world where indie game developers often struggle to get their games noticed, MAD MUSHROOM is stepping in to change the game. They’re here to support indie game developers, give them the resources they need to succeed, and help them bring their creative visions to life. And they’re just getting started.
“I think it’s really great to be part of a company that helps indie developers really showcase their game.”
Extra Emily, Co-founder at MAD MUSHROOM
So, if you’re a developer looking for a publishing partner that’s truly on your side, check out MAD MUSHROOM. To learn more about MAD MUSHROOM publishing, visit www.madmushroom.gg.
