The emergence of new actors in the video game digital distribution sector and their ongoing search for premium content have enabled DONTNOD to strengthen its positioning in the value chain. Accordingly, the studio signed last summer its first exclusivity agreement with distributor Epic Games Store. Typical features of this kind of agreement include guaranteed minimum financing to fund game production, ownership of intellectual property rights by the studio and much higher royalties (88%) paid in full to the studio without intermediary. In line with current trends in the video game industry, DONTNOD decided to step up the process started at the time of the IPO by building its in-house publishing and marketing departments, thereby enhancing its value creation strategy.

Xavier Spinat, former Head of Production at Ubisoft, has been recruited to manage the publishing department, while Sophie Filip, former Global Marketing Manager at Wargaming, will run the marketing department. Both will report to DONTNOD CCO (Chief Content Officer) Samuel Jacques. This new expertise will allow DONTNOD to publish a growing proportion of its own games and take full advantage of the disintermediation trend in favor of development studios. The new departments are already working on the release of Twin MirrorTM, the first game published in-house.

Meanwhile, DONTNOD will maintain its privileged partnership with Microsoft under a standard publishing contract for the fully funded production of Tell Me Why, an arrangement that allows the studio to leverage GAFAM's immense market power and reach. After the success of VampyrTM, the studio will also continue to work with Focus Home Interactive on the latest joint production (Project 8).

“I am delighted to welcome Xavier and Sophie on board for the launch of our publishing and marketing departments. Their experience and skills will be a great asset in ensuring optimum release of our original creations in line with market expectations, while capitalizing on our globally recognized brands” said DONTNOD CEO Oskar Guilbert.