Wadjet Eye Games signs Lively Ivy Studios to publishing deal

[Dave Gilbert]

Since things have been pretty good with my company lately, I've decided to take some of the money I've earned and reinvest it in another aspiring developer.  We've been doing the pre-production on the game for the last few months, and have reached a point where we can announce it.  Here is the press release:

Wadjet Eye Games announces publishing deal with Lively Ivy Studios

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(July 10, 2008/New York City) 

Wadjet Eye Games, the indie game studio focused solely on adventure games, today announced a publishing deal with Lively Ivy Studios, an independent game developer who won several awards in 2006 for its PC adventure, "Spooks" as well as for its more recent critically-acclaimed PC game "Nanobots." Under the terms of the agreement, Lively Ivy Studios will develop a new adventure title to be published by Wadjet Eye Games.

"When we first worked with Lively Ivy back in 2007, we knew that we found a unique and energetic talent," said David Gilbert, CEO and creative director of Wadjet Eye Games.  "It has always been a long-term goal for Wadjet Eye to become a publisher for other indie developers. Now that we are in a position to do that, we knew just who to call. We are very excited to work with Lively Ivy in creating a fun, challenging game that will appeal to both adventure and casual gamers alike."

Wadjet Eye Games will fund the game's development and will take over the sales and marketing of the game, allowing Lively Ivy to focus purely on development.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Wadjet Eye once again," said Erin Robinson, the creative force behind Lively Ivy Studios. "I hope to continue in the Wadjet Eye tradition of producing entertaining and thoughtful games, and I'm honored that Dave has granted me this opportunity."

About Wadjet Eye Games

Founded in 2006, Wadjet Eye Games has developed a reputation for producing award-winning and critically acclaimed adventure games for the PC.  Committed to creating unique character-driven game experiences around recognizable brands, Wadjet Eye Games has grown from a small homebrew operation to a company sought after by major publishers.  The company's portfolio includes the award-winning "The Shivah" and "Blackwell" series, both of which led to a Game Developers Choice nomination in 2007.  For more information, visit http://www.wadjeteyegames.com.

About Lively Ivy Studios

Lively Ivy Studios has been producing distinctive freeware adventure games since 2005. Notable for their original storylines, lovably quirky characters, and trademark humor, Lively Ivy's games have enjoyed considerable popularity in the independent games community. Erin Robinson, founder and creative director, recently won first place in Gamedev's competition for Aspiring Women Game Artists.  For more information, visit http://livelyivy.com.

[Tuomas]

This sounds pretty cool. Though I'm not so good at all this language and terminology you are using...

I must say congrats to both of you guys. It's pretty great to see two great AGS minds co-operating like this. Though that means Ivy's games are no longer freeware, right?

[DazJ]

Brilliant stuff Dave, it's always great to see fellow indie-studios doing well!

Daz.

[m0ds]

Wadjet I...vy Incâ,,¢? Congratumagamemakinglations, I'll be interested to see what productions you guy & gal do

I also heard about some other mergers, Crystal Pit Entertainment & Atroposlav Games... all good news!

[Ghost]

Wow, that's... that's just BIG, that's what it is! That are good news indeed, since
Quality + Quality = Even More Quality.

[bicilotti]

Dave Gilbert, from now on Dave the farsighted.

I'm really happy to see a developer who has the gut to put some money on the line to support the career of another designer. Good luck to you both!

[voh]

Spooks 2 is going to be awrsum

Good news all in all

[The Ivy]

They had to put that press release through a fancy-language filter before it hit the airwaves. The original draft of my quote said something like,

"Umm...I don't know how this happened, but I'm gonna go with it."

[Darth Mandarb]

Geeze Ivy ... you really are movin' on up!

Would you be so kind as to say hello to George and Weezy for me?

[Akatosh]

This is starting to feel like the climax of Act One of the AGS Forums Opera. Kudos, and let's hope this turns out to be one of these vomit-inducingly happy plays!

[Buckethead]

ohw so Ivy is the mystery game maker who you spoke about in your vidpod. I'm thrilled to see what this is goin to bring us in the future. 

[Dave Gilbert]

Thanks everyone.  This is something that Ivy and I have been working on for a few months now, so it's nice to finally talk about it.

If it works out, I'd love to do the same for other AGSers.  We'll see how it goes.

[Stupot]

Though that means Ivy's games are no longer freeware, right?

Haha, Tuomas, you just get straight in there and say what we're all thinking.
But seriously best of luck to the both of you.  This is certainly a good sign for AGS and adventure gaming in general.

[ThreeOhFour]

Yaaaaaay! 

They had to put that press release through a fancy-language filter before it hit the airwaves. The original draft of my quote said something like,

"Umm...I don't know how this happened, but I'm gonna go with it."

This cracked me up! Have jokes like this in the game !

Oh, and PS:

If it works out, I'd love to do the same for other AGSers.  We'll see how it goes.

:o Dave is going to be a big time manager now!?

[Ubel]

Congratulations on the deal! I hope things go well in the future for you in this area! I really love how Dave is still supporting the AGS community like this!

[LGM]

Is there a market for AGS porn games, Dave. If so, I've got just the man for you.

Also, congrats. This is huge!

[DazJ]

Is there a market for AGS porn games, Dave. If so, I've got just the man for you.

Also, congrats. This is huge!

This is huge? Is that a line from his game?

[ThreeOhFour]

Is there a market for AGS porn games, Dave. If so, I've got just the man for you.

I didn't realise you were studying to make those sort of films, LGM!

[gypsysnail]

WOW at what I have just read, coming across this thread! Dave, this makes me even prouder of you! I have watched you grow from a small business to this. It just goes to show anything is achievable when you set your mind to it. I am so happy to see you and Ivy pairing up, she is the best!! I have just sent her a comment on her article in NotesOnGameDev saying how proud I am of her getting out there into the gaming world as a developer to show women can do as well as males can - we're an equal race thats true. Now I am going to be excited to see games made by both of you.

[Layabout]

I got Dave drunk in May and he told me about this... :p