Digital Bros forms Hook: an indie publisher with AAA resources

gamesindustry.biz:

James Batchelor

Editor-in-Chief

Friday 15th July 2022

Yet another indie publisher has emerged, but this one comes from a company that has a considerable track record. 33 years in the business, in fact.

Hook is the new indie-focused publishing label from Italy-based Digital Bros Group, GamesIndustry.biz can reveal. The group has already enjoyed a number of indie hits over the years thanks to its subsidiary 505 Games, which has contributed to the success of Stardew Valley, Human Fall Flat and No Man's Sky. But in recent years, the publisher has been focused on AAA products such as Control and Death Stranding, as well as investing in high-end indie endeavours such as Ghostrunner.

"505 Games is becoming more and more of an established publisher, having some nice successes with very established studios," Digital Bros co-founder and CEO Raffaele 'Raffi' Galante tells us ahead of Hook's official unveiling today. "At Hook, we'd like to give the opportunity to other, emerging talent that haven't yet had the chance."

There's been a steady cadence of new indie publishers coming to market over the last five or six years, but Galante is confident that Hook will stand out thanks to its access to Digital Bros' resources. The group was founded back in 1989 by Raffi and his brother Abramo 'Rami' Galante -- putting the 'bros' in Digital Bros -- and has since grown into a sizeable business.

Raffaele 'Raffi' Galante, Digital Bros

In addition to 505 Games, Digital Bros also owns a number of development studios -- including Assetto Corsa creator Kunos Simulazioni and indie team AvantGarden (formerly Ovosonico) -- plus the educational institution Digital Bros Game Academy, which trains up new generations of developers. The company also has resources