The co-founders of the former East Asian-focused video game publisher Neon Doctrine have established a new company dedicated to providing services for game developers. Vladislav Tsopljak and Iain Garner announced the launch of Goldpact Goblins, a firm they founded in January 2024 following their departure from Neon Doctrine after its acquisition.
The new venture has already secured development agreements with six independent game studios across Asia. These partners are based in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea, indicating a continued focus on the region. The company’s stated mission is to offer a suite of developer services, though specific offerings were not detailed in the announcement.
Background of the Founders
Tsopljak and Garner were the principal founders of Neon Doctrine, a publisher known for bringing indie titles from Asia to a global audience. Their previous company was absorbed by the larger Swedish publisher Raw Fury in 2023. This merger led to the founders’ eventual exit from the organization, paving the way for their new entrepreneurial effort.
The establishment of Goldpact Goblins represents a return to the games industry for the duo, leveraging their established networks and expertise. Their experience in navigating the complexities of international publishing and marketing for indie developers forms the core background for this new services-oriented model.
Advisory Role and Industry Context
Adding industry weight to the startup, Gordon Van Dyke has joined Goldpact Goblins as a publishing advisor. Van Dyke is also a former Raw Fury executive who recently revived Stumpysquid, the original development studio behind the popular game *Kingdom Two Crowns*. His involvement suggests a strategic focus on guiding development and publishing strategy for the firm’s partners.
The move from a traditional publishing model to a “developer services” firm reflects a broader trend in the video game industry. Many experienced professionals are creating companies that offer targeted support, such as marketing, quality assurance, localization, and porting, allowing developers to retain more creative and financial control over their projects.
Strategic Focus and Regional Implications
By securing deals with studios in multiple Asian countries at launch, Goldpact Goblins signals a deliberate strategy to cultivate a diverse portfolio from a region rich with development talent. This approach mirrors the founders’ previous work at Neon Doctrine, which successfully launched titles like *Lydia* and *The Rewinder* in Western markets.
The company’s early traction suggests a demand for specialized, partner-led services beyond standard publishing deals. For developers in these regions, access to experienced advisors with global market connections can be a significant advantage in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
The launch of Goldpact Goblins will be closely watched by independent developers and publishers alike. Its success will depend on its ability to deliver tangible value to its partner studios, helping them overcome common hurdles in production, marketing, and distribution. The involvement of figures with proven track records in indie publishing provides a credible foundation.
Industry observers expect the company to announce its first slate of partnered game projects in the coming months. The performance of these initial titles will serve as the first major test for the new developer services model as implemented by Tsopljak and Garner. Further expansion of the partner studio network into other regions is a plausible next step, contingent on the firm’s early results.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
