This follows last week’s launch of Telltale’s first new game since the company’s resurrection, The Expanse: A Telltale Series, and is in line with its commitment to bringing great narrative games to new audiences and platforms. Both Telltale and Flavourworks are backed by HIRO Capital, the leading Games and Metaverse Venture fund.
Flavourworks is a mobile-first, next-generation studio that develops and produces technology for cinematic interactive stories. Most notably, the company is the inventor and proprietor of TouchVideo- a methodology and software for highly responsive interaction with video. Flavourworks’ interactive streaming technology and games engine for video unlocks graphically rich, immersive gameplay on touchscreens and SmartTVs, as well as PC and consoles.
“Fans today want to interact with their favorite IPs more deeply, and interactive narratives are a really immersive way to do that,” said Jamie Ottilie, Telltale CEO. “At the same time, people want to access their games from wherever they are, regardless of device or platform. Flavourworks’ technology and interactive video expertise will enable us to efficiently create story-based games and reach more people through streaming and new platforms. We’re excited about what it could mean for our portfolio of games.”
Ottilie has previously stated that Telltale will work with strategically-aligned studios and technologies, either through partnership or acquisition, to create the most compelling narrative experiences and help others tell great interactive stories. The acquisition of Flavourworks speaks to the companies’ shared understanding of the convergence of the film and game sectors, and positions both teams to better capitalize on the rapidly changing media landscape.
“The Flavourworks’ team, technology, and creative expertise is a perfect fit for Telltale,” said Sir Ian Livingstone (CBE), co-Founding Partner of Hiro Capital, which led Telltale’s Series A funding earlier this year. “Following Telltale's successful launch of The Expanse, with its strong reviews and excellent player feedback, I look forward to seeing what gameplay innovations a collaboration with Flavourworks will bring in building best-in-class narrative games.”
Flavourworks has previously created several cinematic game titles including ERICA, available on PlayStation, Steam, and iOS; and Hush—Crane, and Cuttlefish, both for mobile. Flavourworks’ current CEO, Zachary Slatter, will join the Telltale management team as managing director, Europe.
“Telltale is the perfect partner to maximize the value of our proprietary TouchVideo games engine,” added Zack Slatter, Flavourworks CEO. “They are the iconic narrative gaming brand, and we look forward to powering distribution of their games on new platforms, as well as tapping their creative and publishing resources to elevate our own original IP development.”
Both Telltale and Flavourworks are backed by HIRO Capital, the leading Games and Metaverse Venture fund.