Zugalu acquired Crimson Herring

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Zugalu Entertainment Acquires Crimson Herring Studios to Accelerate Growth in Narrative-Driven Gaming

Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Ma7 07, 2025 – Zugalu Entertainment, an independent video game studio based in Calgary, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Edmonton-based Crimson Herring Studios. Zugalu, known for their innovative and immersive gaming experiences, is excited to bring this narrative-driven studio into its fold.

This strategic acquisition unites two of Alberta's leading indie game developers, combining their creative talents and resources to enhance the development of compelling, story-rich games. Crimson Herring Studios, founded in April 2020 by producer Isaac Otway, has garnered attention for its debut title, Sovereign Syndicate, a Victorian steampunk role-playing game released in January 2024. The game has been praised for its intricate storytelling and unique gameplay mechanics.

Zugalu Entertainment, established in 2014 by game designer and entrepreneur Branden Sloane, has a diverse portfolio that includes titles such as Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, a medieval fantasy city-builder with real-time combat and impactful decision-making, which launched into Early Access on November 7, 2024. The studio is dedicated to creating games that offer deep, immersive experiences for players.

"We are excited to welcome the talented team from Crimson Herring Studios into the Zugalu family," said Branden Sloane, Founder and CEO of Zugalu Entertainment. "Their expertise in crafting narrative-driven games aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering rich, engaging experiences to players. This acquisition allows us to accelerate our growth and expand our creative horizons."

As part of this acquisition, Isaac Otway will be joining Zugalu Entertainment as Chief Operating Officer (COO). With his deep experience in narrative game development and production, Isaac will play a key role in ensuring Zugalu continues to grow and create even better games for players worldwide.

"Joining Zugalu Entertainment in this new role as COO is an exciting opportunity, our team can achieve so much more together." said Isaac Otway. "I have a great deal of respect for Branden and his team, and the business they’ve built, and I look forward to helping shape the company’s future and working alongside this talented team to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences."

The combined entity will operate under the Zugalu Entertainment brand, with plans to integrate Crimson Herring’s narrative-driven approach into Zugalu’s upcoming projects. This merger aims to enhance the quality and depth of future titles, providing players with immersive storytelling and refined gameplay experiences.

As part of this acquisition, Zugalu Entertainment will continue to support and update Sovereign Syndicate, with a planned Director’s Cut slated for Early 2026. The studio also plans to leverage Crimson Herring’s narrative expertise in the development of Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown and other future projects.

For more information about Zugalu Entertainment and its games, please visit https://zugalu.com/.

About Zugalu Entertainment
Founded in 2014 by game designer and entrepreneur Branden Sloane, Zugalu Entertainment is an independent game development studio based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The studio is dedicated to creating innovative and immersive games that players of all kinds can enjoy. Their portfolio includes titles such as Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, Voxel Scavenger, Technolites, and Boulder Run.

About Crimson Herring Studios
Crimson Herring Studios is an indie game development studio headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in April 2020 by producer Isaac Otway, the studio focuses on narrative-driven games with a twist of mystery and intrigue. Their debut title, Sovereign Syndicate, is a Victorian steampunk role-playing game that emphasizes profound storytelling through immersive gameplay.