Core Insights - The success of "Expedition 33" at TGA 2025 is attributed not only to the developer Sandfall Interactive but also significantly to the publisher Kepler Interactive, which was invested in by NetEase for $120 million in 2021 [1][3][4] - Kepler Interactive operates as a unique alliance of developers rather than a traditional publisher, allowing for a collaborative decision-making structure among its member studios [5][6][9] Group 1: Kepler Interactive's Model - Kepler Interactive is described as a developer co-governance model, where founders of the seven studios form a decision-making committee, allowing for shared ownership and collaborative decision-making [5][6] - This model provides member studios with essential support in human resources, legal, and IT, while maintaining creative autonomy [6][9] - Kepler aims to be recognized for high-quality mid-tier games, similar to A24 in the film industry, focusing on unique and innovative game designs [9] Group 2: Success Factors of "Expedition 33" - "Expedition 33" successfully filled a market gap for 2A games, particularly in the JRPG genre, which had seen a decline in offerings [10][12] - The game was developed with a restrained cost strategy, reportedly under $30 million, allowing for a sustainable development approach [14][15] - Sandfall Interactive plans to maintain a small team of under 50 people to ensure agility and creativity in future projects, avoiding the pitfalls of larger team structures [15][16] Group 3: Implications for the Industry - The success of "Expedition 33" highlights the potential for innovative publishing models to revitalize the gaming industry, encouraging a focus on efficient development processes [17] - NetEase's investment in Kepler serves as a case study for other major companies to consider investing in promising publishers and developers that understand market dynamics [17]

Core Insights - The game "Light and Shadow: Expedition 33" won nine awards at TGA 2025, including Game of the Year, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction, marking it as the most awarded game in a single TGA event's history [1][2] - The success of "Expedition 33" is attributed to its innovative content and strong support from its publishing team, focusing 90% of resources on core experiences such as combat feedback, camera language, and musical narrative [1] - The game received recognition from French President Macron, highlighting its significance as a symbol of French creativity [2] Company Overview - Kepler Interactive, the publisher of "Expedition 33," employs a "developer co-governance" model, allowing studio founders to retain creative autonomy while jointly making decisions [2] - Kepler Interactive has previously published successful low-budget titles, including "Sifu," which also received multiple nominations at TGA 2022 [2] Industry Impact - "Expedition 33" achieved a historic breakthrough at TGA 2025, generating global attention and setting a record with 12 nominations, the highest in TGA history [2]