Paradox Interactive Launches Mezmer Games For Indie Downloads

Stockholm-based developer-publisher Paradox Interactive (Mount & Blade, Hearts of Iron) has officially launched Mezmer Games, its new independent label focused on digital downloads from emerging developers. Paradox executive VP Fredrik Wester recently discussed Mezmer Games in an interview with Gamasutra, explaining that the new sub-brand will house high quality, smaller games that aren't at all benefited by retail distribution. The first titles under the new label will be a quirky strategy-lite called Stalin Vs. Martians and a turn-based strategy title called Legio that resembles Chess. Both are set to release in the second quarter of 2009. "There are so many high-quality titles out there that show a great deal of potential but never reach the gamers," says Wester. "Our intention is to be a platform for great games that traditional publishers do not want to invest their time and money." "By exclusively releasing the products digitally, we’ll be to deliver many niche and developing titles to an audience that would otherwise be unable to purchase the products." The Mezmer Games website is also geared as a platform where developers can build communities around their individual titles. "Our web site is built like a community/blog, where the user is an active and important part," says Wester. "We expect developers to utilize it as a bouncing board of their ideas." "We are really excited about this new label," Wester adds, speaking to Gamasutra today. "There has never in the history of the games industry been so many talented studios so tight on shelf space." "Our expectation is that Mezmer Games will be able to represent and support a lot of talented independent developers."