Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Maximum Games
View on WikipediaMaximum Games, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in Walnut Creek, California.[1] Originally founded in 2009 as a publisher of family-oriented titles for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii, the company shifted to publishing games of all genres for all ages across all platforms shortly after inception.[2]
Key Information
Maximum Games has acted as a sub-publisher and North American distributor for many other major video game publishers including Nacon, Microids, Funcom, and Focus Home Interactive. Some of the most notable franchises they have partnered on include the Farming Simulator series, Five Nights at Freddy's, Bendy and the Ink Machine, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, Divinity: Original Sin, and the WRC series.[3]
Maximum Games expanded into funding and development with a new publishing label in 2018 called Modus Games.[4] In 2019, the company acquired its first studio, Brazilian-based The Balance, Inc. and rebranded it as Modus Studios Brazil.[5] In 2021, the company was acquired by Swedish firm Zordix. In 2024, Maximum Games was grouped together with several other related publisher labels under the parent brand Maximum Entertainment, the new name of Zordix.[6]
History
[edit]Maximum Games is a privately held California corporation, and was founded as Maximum Family Games in 2009 by Christina Seelye and Len Ciciretto. During the 2009 holiday season, the company launched two successful Nintendo DS titles, Junior Brain Trainer and Junior Classic Games,[7] with placement in major US retailers. In 2010, the company published 16 new products for the Nintendo DS, Wii and PC platforms. In the same year, the company was granted third-party publishing status with Nintendo of America[8] and Sony Computer Entertainment America, and in 2011, they were granted the same status in Europe with both companies. In 2012, the company also secured its license with Microsoft. That May, the company legally changed its name to Maximum Games.[9]
Following the rebrand, Maximum Games began rapidly expanding into sales and physical distribution in North America for European publishers, specifically for the seventh console generation.[10] The company's output averaged around eight releases per year,[3][11] handling packaging, third-party logistics, and negotiating with retailers to secure placements for physical releases. By 2015, the company had invested $2.5 million in future games and shipped a total of 1 million units across all releases.[citation needed]
In March 2016, Maximum Games acquired UK-based video game publisher and distributor Avanquest Software Publishing Ltd. The acquisition marked Maximum's move to expand distribution of its games globally, establishing a European sales and marketing position. During this time, they also established a second European subsidiary, Maximum Games Ireland Limited.[12][13]
In 2017, Maximum Games began development of its first fully owned IP, Extinction, which released in the following year.[14][15] The expansion into development would lay the foundation for its publishing label Modus Games, focusing on AAA publishing services for independent developers.[16] During this same time, the company further developed its European network of partners and retailers, offering games in over 30+ countries.[3]
In 2018, Len Ciciretto transitioned out of the company and is no longer a shareholder.[citation needed]
In October 2020, Maximum Games entered an agreement with Nacon to handle third-party logistics for their lineup of RIG computer and gaming accessories.
Maximum Games began offering direct-to-consumer shipping from its own digital storefront in December 2020. It currently sells partner titles, Modus Games titles, and store exclusive collector's editions.[17]
The company was purchased by Swedish firm Zordix AB in November 2021, for a total of $42 million, with additional earnouts of up to $30 million.[18]
On January 20, 2022, Mane6 announced that they were purchased by Maximum Games.[19]
In February 2023, Zordix consolidated Dimfrost, Invictus Games, Mane6, Modus Brazil, and Zordix Racing to create Modus Studios.[20] It also acquired FUN Labs.[21] The company further consolidated in February 2024, announcing that publishers Maximum Games, Modus Games, Just For Games, and Merge Games, and developer Modus Studios would all be grouped under the name Maximum Entertainment, the new name of Zordix.[6]
Modus Games
[edit]In December 2017, Maximum Games created a new division of the company called Modus Games, focused on providing full-service publishing services to independent video game developers. Modus Games' first title published was the action adventure title Extinction, developed by Iron Galaxy.[14]
In 2019, Modus Games purchased the independent Brazilian game studio The Balance, Inc., which it previously partnered with to publish the action game Override: Mech City Brawl. The company was rebranded as Modus Studios Brazil and operates independently of the publishing arm, offering porting, development support, and development of original IPs.[5]
History
[edit]Modus Games was first introduced in 2018 when the company was soft launched with the release of Iron Galaxy's Extinction.[22] The company was fully launched in March 2019.[23] Their first title as a publishing label was Finnish developer Frozenbyte's Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, which received favorable reviews.[23][24]
Modus Games has since partnered with several developers of varying sizes for both physical and digital releases globally. The company has made their first foray into the collectibles market with the announcement of a collector's edition for Dreams Uncorporated's action role-playing game Cris Tales.[25]
In October 2020, Modus Games initiated an ongoing charitable initiative called Games Giving Back,[26] in which the company donates a portion of each games' profits towards a charity, often in a similar theme to each game being highlighted. The first of these donations was to the Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation, an organization that helps women advance their careers through coaching and mentorship.[26]
In January 2022, Modus Games acquired Mane6, the development team behind Them's Fightin' Herds.[27]
Modus Studios Brazil
[edit]Following the release of Override: Mech City Brawl by Brazilian studio The Balance, Inc., Modus Games purchased and rebranded the developer as Modus Studios Brazil in 2019.[28] The company operates independently of the publishing arm, and has since released a sequel titled Override 2: Super Mech League. It is the company's first developer acquisition under the Modus name. In addition to development, the studio also co-develops and offers porting services for other Modus published games.[29]
List of video games
[edit]Games published and/or developed[30]
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Developer(s) | Role | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Extinction | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Iron Galaxy | Publisher | Maximum Games, Modus Games |
| Ninjin: Clash of Carrots | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Pocket Trap | Modus Games | ||
| Override: Mech City Brawl | Modus Studios Brazil (formerly The Balance, Inc.) | Publisher, Developer | Modus Games, 3goo | ||
| 2019 | Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, Trine: Ultimate Collection | Frozenbyte | Publisher | Modus Games | |
| Bear with Me: The Lost Robots, The Complete Collection | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS | Exordium Games | Modus Games, Exordium Games | ||
| Degrees of Separation | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Moondrop | Modus Games | ||
| 2020 | Ary and the Secret of Seasons | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia | eXiin, Fishing Cactus | ||
| Skully | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Finish Line Games | |||
| Them's Fightin' Herds | Windows, iOS, Linux[nc 1] | Mane6 | |||
| Lost Words: Beyond the Page | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia | Sketchbook Games | |||
| Super Animal Royale | Windows, Macintosh, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Pixile Studios | Publisher | Modus Games (Self-published by Pixile Studios as of May 8, 2024) | |
| Override 2: Super Mech League | Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Modus Studios Brazil (formerly The Balance, Inc.) | Publisher, Developer | Modus Games | |
| Remothered: Broken Porcelain | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Stormind Games | Publisher | ||
| Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia | ACE Team, Giant Monkey Robot | |||
| 2021 | Rustler | Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Modus Games, PlayWay | ||
| Cris Tales | Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia | Dreams Uncorporated, SYCK | Modus Games | ||
| In Sound Mind | Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch | We Create Stuff | |||
| 2022 | Soulstice | Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | Reply Game Studios | ||
| 2023 | Teslagrad 2[31] | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Rain Games | Publisher | |
| Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons | Secret Base, Arc System Works | ||||
| Paleo Pines | Italic Pig | ||||
| 2024 | Until Then[32] | Windows, Linux, PlayStation 5 | Polychroma Games | Publisher | Maximum Entertainment |
| 2025 | Maximum Football | Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S | Invictus Games |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Linux port was released in 2021, not 2020. Modus acquired Mane6 in January 2022 and divested it to Gameplay Group International in 2025.
Distributed games
[edit]- A Plague Tale: Innocence
- Bendy and the Ink Machine
- Call of Cthulhu
- Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Conan Exiles
- Farming Simulator series
- Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted
- Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2
- Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach
- The Golf Club 2
- GreedFall
- Infinite Air with Mark McMorris
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits
- Minecraft: Story Mode
- Nickelodeon Kart Racers
- Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
- Remothered: Broken Porcelain
- The Sinking City
- SnowRunner
- Spintires: MudRunner
- The Surge
- Vampyr
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood
References
[edit]- ^ "IGN: Maximum Family Games Company Profile". IGN. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ^ "Maximum Games's Profile". Metacritic.
- ^ a b c "Maximum Games Published Games". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Maximum Games to fully launch new indie publishing label Modus Games". GamesIndustry.biz. 20 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Modus Games acquires The Balance Inc". GamesIndustry.biz. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ a b Dealessandri, Marie (2024-02-15). "Maximum Entertainment merges six games divisions under parent brand". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Maximum Games announce Dead Alliance". www.gamekult.com (in French). 2017-05-24. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ^ "Nintendo wants all third-party games on the Nintendo Switch". TechCrunch. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ^ "Gamasutra: Maximum Family Games Changes Name to Maximum Games". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ "Maximum Games Leads the Retro Revolution at E3 Tomorrow". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "MobyGames: Game Browser". MobyGames. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ Dring, Christopher (2016-05-23). "Avanquest now '100% focused on games' after name change". MCV. ISSN 1469-4832. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ^ "Maximum Games Ireland Ltd - Irish Company Info - SoloCheck". www.solocheck.ie. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ a b "Iron Galaxy and Maximum Games Announce Extinction for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Maximum Games' new action IP Extinction will be playable at E3". MCV/DEVELOP. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Maximum Games announces new indie publishing label Modus Games". GameDaily.biz. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Cris Tales Getting Collector's Edition in Limited Quantities". Game Rant. 2021-01-20. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ Rousseau, Jeffrey (November 29, 2021). "Zordix acquires Maximum Games for $42m". gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ @mane6dev (20 January 2022). "Big news! Mane6 has formed an acquisition partnership with publisher @Modus_Games. We're continuing work on TFH, an…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Dring, Christopher (2023-02-07). "Zordix launches Maximum Entertainment and restructures its studio organisation". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Maximum Entertainment Completes the Acquisition of FUN Labs". Maximum Entertainment. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (2017-06-01). "Bloody giant ogre battles are at the heart of Extinction". Polygon. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ a b "Maximum Games announces new indie publishing label Modus Games". GameDaily.biz. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "Cris Tales collector's edition includes art book and cuddly Matias". Destructoid. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ a b "Modus Games launches the Games Giving Back charity initiative". GameDaily.biz. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ Willett, Joscelyn (2022-01-20). "Maximum Games acquires Them's Fightin' Herds developer Mane6, teases upcoming additions to the game" (Press release). Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ Kerr, Chris (3 September 2019). "Trine 4 publisher Modus Games acquires Brazilian studio The Balance". www.gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "Modus Games Expands by Acquiring The Balance Inc., Porting Override to Switch". 29 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "Modus Games". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ "Teslagrad 2". Gematsu. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Until Then". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
External links
[edit]Maximum Games
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early development
Maximum Family Games, LLC was established in 2009 by Christina Seelye, who became the company's CEO, and Len Ciciretto in Walnut Creek, California.[3][13] The venture aimed to deliver accessible and enjoyable gaming experiences tailored for players of all ages and interests, emphasizing family-friendly content in an era when casual gaming was gaining traction on console platforms.[3] From 2010 onward, the company operated primarily as a sub-publisher and distributor of third-party video games, focusing on bringing affordable, approachable titles to the North American market.[14] Its early portfolio centered on casual and family-oriented games for the Nintendo DS and Wii, often involving the localization and distribution of content originally developed in Europe.[15] Representative examples include City Builder, released in March 2010, and Drag & Stock Racer, launched in March 2011, both of which exemplified the company's role in bridging international developers with U.S. audiences through physical retail channels.[15] This model allowed Maximum Family Games to build a niche in accessible entertainment without in-house development, prioritizing quick market entry for budget-conscious consumers. In May 2012, the company adopted the trade name Maximum Games while retaining its legal entity as Maximum Family Games, LLC, signaling an intent to broaden its publishing scope beyond strictly family demographics.[16] This rebranding coincided with securing additional platform licenses, such as with Microsoft, and laid the groundwork for future diversification in game genres and distribution strategies.Expansion and Modus Games launch
During the 2010s, Maximum Games underwent substantial growth, expanding its title portfolio from family-oriented releases to a broader range of genres while forging key international partnerships that enhanced its global reach and distribution capabilities. This period marked a shift toward more ambitious publishing strategies, culminating in the company's recognition as one of the top 20 video game publishers worldwide by the late decade.[5][17] In 2018, Maximum Games initiated the Modus Games label through a soft launch, establishing it as a full-service publishing division dedicated to supporting independent developers with funding, marketing, quality assurance, and worldwide distribution. The label was designed to bridge the gap for indie creators seeking AAA-level resources without major studio backing, emphasizing genres like action, adventure, and family-friendly titles while prioritizing cross-platform releases on consoles, PC, and mobile. Following this groundwork, Modus Games officially debuted in 2019, quickly building momentum by partnering with studios for high-profile indie projects.[17][18] A pivotal step in this expansion came in August 2019, when Modus Games acquired The Balance Inc., a Brazilian studio behind the mech-battler Override: Mech City Brawl, and rebranded it as Modus Studios Brazil to integrate in-house development expertise. This acquisition strengthened Maximum Games' vertical integration, allowing for closer collaboration on AA-scale titles and porting efforts across platforms. By 2021, Modus Games had shipped more than 16 titles since its inception, demonstrating its focus on diverse indie and AA experiences that appealed to global audiences through innovative gameplay and accessible narratives.[19][5]Acquisition by Zordix and integration into Maximum Entertainment
On November 29, 2021, Swedish gaming group Zordix AB acquired Maximum Games, Inc., a U.S.-based video game publisher, for an upfront payment of $42 million in cash and shares, with potential additional earnouts of up to $30 million based on performance milestones.[5] This transaction was part of Zordix's broader expansion strategy in the gaming sector, which also included the acquisitions of French distributor Just For Games SAS in late 2021 and British publisher Merge Games in early 2022, aiming to build a diversified portfolio of publishing and distribution operations across Europe and North America.[20] In 2023, Zordix continued to strengthen its development capabilities through the acquisition of Romanian studio FUN Labs, completed on March 14, adding 33 developers to its team and rebranding the entity as Modus Studios Bucharest.[21] This move supported Zordix's strategic goal of increasing revenue from owned intellectual property (IP) to 30% by 2025, by enhancing in-house development resources for creating and managing proprietary game titles.[22] Later that year, on August 3, Zordix AB officially rebranded to Maximum Entertainment AB, reflecting its evolution into a unified entertainment group focused on games publishing and development; under this structure, Maximum Games transitioned from an independent entity to one of the company's core publishing labels.[9] By February 2024, Maximum Entertainment further consolidated its operations through a merger that unified its publishing labels—Maximum Games, Modus Games, Just For Games, and Merge Games—along with its developer arm Modus Studios, all operating under the overarching Maximum Entertainment brand.[23] This integration was designed to streamline global publishing efforts, reduce operational redundancies, and accelerate the rollout of a shared pipeline of over 100 titles, while advancing the owned IP revenue target and expanding into transmedia opportunities.[24] In September 2024, as part of ongoing consolidation, Merge Games laid off staff and closed its Chelford, England office, with the label fully integrating into Maximum Entertainment by the end of the year.[25][26] In 2025, Maximum Entertainment faced financial challenges, with net sales for January-September declining to €44.2 million from €54.5 million the previous year, a gross margin of 26%, and an employee count reduced to 114 by Q3. The company drew down additional financing and received observation status on Nasdaq First North Growth Market due to delayed financial reporting. As of May 2025, its annual report for 2024 included an adverse audit opinion.[27][28][29]Publishing divisions
Modus Games
Modus Games serves as the indie-focused publishing label within Maximum Entertainment, launched in 2018 to deliver full-service support to independent game developers worldwide.[17] This label specializes in AA-scale titles, providing end-to-end services that encompass funding, quality assurance (QA), localization into 10-12 languages, marketing campaigns, and multi-platform releases across PC, consoles, and mobile devices.[30] By prioritizing creative freedom for developers, Modus Games fosters innovative projects while leveraging its global distribution network to reach audiences in over 50 countries.[31] The strategy of Modus Games centers on bridging the gap between indie creators and AAA-level production resources, enabling studios to focus on artistic vision without compromising on technical polish or market viability.[30] It emphasizes genres such as narrative adventures and action games, offering co-development opportunities through integrated studios that enhance production capabilities.[21] Under the leadership of Head of Product & Studio Bruce Hayles (previously Global Studio Director), the label coordinates these efforts to produce high-quality, long-lasting franchises.[21][32] As of 2023, Modus Games has published over 20 titles, achieving notable successes with representative examples like the psychological horror narrative adventure In Sound Mind—which has Overwhelmingly Positive user reviews on Steam (95% positive)—and the fast-paced action title Soulstice.[30][33][34] This portfolio underscores the label's role in elevating indie experiences to broader commercial impact within Maximum Entertainment's unified publishing structure.Maximum Games label
The Maximum Games label, a core publishing division of Maximum Entertainment, focuses on sub-publishing and physical distribution of accessible video games, including family-oriented titles and sports simulations designed for broad appeal. Established as the foundational arm of the company's publishing efforts, it emphasizes high-quality titles that prioritize engaging gameplay for casual and younger audiences, including long-standing franchises like Maximum Football. This approach has resulted in over 300 published titles since the label's inception, with a strong emphasis on physical and digital distribution across global platforms.[31] Central to the label's strategy is the licensing of popular intellectual properties to create content that leverages established fanbases, such as the adventure platformer Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, which features arcade-style mini-games and over 200 levels based on the beloved TV series. Similarly, collaborations with partners like Paramount Game Studios announced multiplayer fighting games tied to Nickelodeon IPs, including a planned title inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, which was canceled in December 2024.[35][23][36][31] The label also pursues porting established titles to new platforms and markets, enabling wider accessibility and revenue growth for non-indie projects through targeted localization and distribution. Following Maximum Entertainment's 2024 unification of its publishing labels—including Maximum Games, Modus Games, Just For Games, and Merge Games—the labels operate under a single entity, with Maximum Games handling sub-publishing and physical distribution for mainstream, licensed titles globally.[23][31] This integration aims to increase IP ownership to 30% of overall revenue by 2025, supporting sustained growth in non-indie segments. Ongoing projects under the label include enhancements to sports simulations, notably the Franchise Mode update for Maximum Football, set to launch on December 9, 2025, allowing players to manage professional teams in a customizable league experience.[23][6]Studios and subsidiaries
Modus Studios Brazil
Modus Studios Brazil, originally established as The Balance, Inc. in 2011, is a video game development studio headquartered in Brasília, Brazil. Prior to its acquisition, the studio specialized in indie game development, with a strong emphasis on mobile titles and console porting services.[37][38] In August 2019, Modus Games acquired The Balance, Inc. for an undisclosed amount, marking the publisher's first internal studio acquisition to bolster its production capabilities in emerging markets. The studio was subsequently rebranded as Modus Studios Brazil, establishing a dedicated South American development hub. This move allowed Modus Games to leverage regional talent for enhanced support in porting and localization, particularly tailored to Latin American audiences.[19][39] Post-acquisition, Modus Studios Brazil expanded its operations to provide comprehensive services including quality assurance (QA), porting to multiple platforms, and localization for Modus Games projects, focusing on efficient adaptation for diverse regional markets. The studio has contributed to the company's portfolio through development and support for various titles, emphasizing genres such as adventure and simulation games to align with broader publishing goals.[39][40] Following Zordix Group's acquisition of Maximum Games in November 2021, Modus Studios Brazil was integrated into the consolidated Modus Studios division in February 2023, alongside other subsidiaries. This restructuring supports the company's strategy to enhance internal development capacity and prioritize revenue from wholly owned intellectual properties (IPs), enabling greater control over creative pipelines and global releases.[5][41]Modus Studios Bucharest
Modus Studios Bucharest originated as FUN Labs, a Romanian video game development studio founded in 1999 in Bucharest with a focus on action and racing titles, including off-road adventures like the Cabela's 4x4 series.[42][43] In March 2023, Maximum Entertainment acquired FUN Labs to bolster its internal development resources, adding 33 experienced developers to the team and integrating them into the Modus Studios division.[21][44] Following the acquisition, the studio was rebranded as Modus Studios Bucharest, establishing it as a key European hub with offices in Bucharest, Romania, and Debrecen, Hungary, to support expanded operations across the region.[21][42] Under the leadership of Global Studio Director Bruce Hayles, the studio specializes in full-cycle development for AA-scale titles, encompassing engine optimization, multiplayer systems, and complex gameplay mechanics to align with Maximum Entertainment's strategy of deriving 30% of revenue from owned intellectual property by 2025.[21][45] This acquisition enhances the company's capacity for in-house production, reducing reliance on external partners while leveraging the team's proven expertise in genres such as survival and shooters.[21] The studio's integration has enabled scalable growth, with ongoing projects emphasizing immersive storytelling, dynamic simulations, and robust online features to meet the demands of modern AA gaming. As of 2023, Modus Studios announced development of new IPs, including Big Truck Country: Mudfest.[41][46][47]Games portfolio
Published titles
Maximum Games and its publishing labels have released a diverse portfolio of titles across multiple platforms, focusing on indie games, family-friendly experiences, and sports simulations. As of the 2021 acquisition by Zordix, the company had over 300 titles in its catalogue as a publisher and distributor, with continued growth following integration into Maximum Entertainment.[5][31] The Modus Games label, launched in 2019, had shipped 16 titles by 2021 and, as of 2025, has published over 50 titles emphasizing narrative-driven indies and action-adventure games.[5][17] In contrast, the Maximum Games label prioritizes accessible family titles and sports simulations, often featuring licensed intellectual properties.[34]Modus Games Titles
Modus Games specializes in indie releases, blending narrative depth with action and exploration elements. Notable examples include:- Squirrel with a Gun (2024): A sandbox shooter and puzzle platformer where players control an armed squirrel escaping a facility. It received strong critical reception for its humorous gameplay and innovative mechanics, achieving 86.3% positive reviews on Steam and generating approximately $1.4 million in gross revenue with over 96,000 units sold.[48][49]
- Smalland: Survive the Wilds (2024): An open-world survival crafting game from a miniature perspective, emphasizing exploration and base-building. It garnered positive feedback for its unique scale and creature interactions, contributing to Modus's growing indie portfolio.[50][51]
- Bye Sweet Carole (2025): A hand-drawn horror adventure inspired by classic animation, exploring themes of innocence and fear through point-and-click puzzles. It earned mixed-to-positive reviews, with praise for its atmospheric storytelling and art style (Metacritic score of 68), though some critics noted clunky narrative delivery.[52][53][54]
- Afterimage (2023): A hand-drawn action-adventure metroidvania focusing on exploration and combat in a post-apocalyptic world. It was well-received for its visuals and depth, bolstering Modus's reputation in the AA indie space.[55][56]
- Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons (2023): A beat 'em up revival with roguelite elements, praised for revitalizing the classic series through fast-paced action.[34][57]
- Them's Fightin' Herds (2021): A competitive fighting game featuring anthropomorphic animals, noted for its vibrant art and accessible mechanics, which helped establish Modus's indie fighting game niche.[34][58]
Maximum Games Label Titles
The Maximum Games label targets family-oriented and simulation content, leveraging licensed IPs for broad appeal. Key releases include:- Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (2022): A 3D platformer promoting themes of friendship and empathy, aimed at young audiences. It performed well in family gaming segments, with steady sales driven by the iconic IP.[35]
- Maximum Football (2024): A sports simulation emphasizing realistic gameplay and community-driven updates. In 2025, it received multiple patches, including gameplay balance improvements in August and the highly anticipated Franchise Mode launch on December 9, 2025, enhancing long-term player engagement.[59][6][60]
- Leo & Mia: Animal Rescue (2023): A puzzle-adventure game for children, focusing on animal care and problem-solving, which aligned with the label's emphasis on educational family fun.[61]
- Hot Lap Racing (2023): A racing simulation with customizable tracks, receiving updates for improved AI and multiplayer features, solidifying its place in the sports lineup.[62]
