Escape From Tarkov dev wants to bet on ‘risky’ games with its new publishing arm
Escape from Tarkov developer Battlestate Games has launched a new publishing arm announced in early September to support independent developers creating “hardcore” and “risky” projects. According to COO Nikita Buyanov in an interview with PCGamesN, Battlestate Games Publishing aims to provide resources and backing for niche games and hardcore first-person shooters—mirroring the characteristics that define Escape from Tarkov itself.
The company views the venture as an opportunity to champion projects that might struggle to find support through traditional publishing channels. Buyanov emphasized that Battlestate Games is approaching this expansion cautiously, acknowledging the significant learning curve involved. “We thought: ‘why not? We’ll give it a shot.’ It’s not like we can do it in one single step,” he explained, noting that the process will require substantial time and experimentation as the company navigates unfamiliar territory.
Rather than positioning the publishing arm as an immediate major operation, Battlestate Games appears to be taking a measured, gradual approach while building expertise. The venture represents a natural extension of the company’s identity and could position them as advocates for the types of challenging, niche gaming experiences that mainstream publishers often overlook.