Among Us was released in 2018, but it was in 2020 that the game absolutely blew up. The social deduction game bloomed from a simple concept with a single map into a worldwide phenomena that amassed more than half a billion monthly active players in November 2020, according to defunct research group SuperData. Among Us is free to play on mobile and $5 on consoles, but add in its wearables and you’ve got a ton of money to work with. Developer InnerSloth announced Friday at Summer Game Fest that it’s using that money to create an indie fund called Outersloth.
“It’s no secret the games industry has been through a lot of turmoil with layoffs and a lack of funding,” the developer said in a news release. “Innersloth is incredibly lucky to have been able to find success and stay truly independent: no investors, no publishers, no acquisitions. This is all thanks to the support of players and industry friends.”
So far, Outersloth has funded nine games. Here’s how Outersloth describes them:
– Battle Suit Aces, Trinket Studio — From the creators of Battlechef Brigade, this card-battling RPG lets you captain your own epic tale in upgradable mecha Battle Suits.
– Project Dosa, Outerloop Studio — From the creators of Thirsty Suitors, discover and cook new dosa recipes, help the locals, and fight off enemies in your mech to reunite with your loved ones.
– Mossfield Archives, Studio Any Percent — A relaxing and beautiful game about exploring and building connections.
– Rogue Eclipse, HUSKRAFTS — A roguelike spacefighter for the new age. Master your aerial skills and soar through a galaxy inspired by Arab Futurism.
– ONE BTN BOSSES, Midnight Munchies — It’s in the name. Push, tap, and bash your way through galactic bosses and upgrade your ship.
– Mars First Logistics, Shape Shop — Build physically simulated rovers and transport awkwardly shaped cargo across the surface of Mars.
Outersloth is also funding new games from Venba studio Visai Games; El Paso, Elsewhere developer Strange Scaffold; and a new studio called Coldblood Inc, which is founded by a Celeste developer and game engine Murder creator. Led by Among Us CEO Forest Willard and communications director Victoria Tran, Outersloth isn’t a publisher: “We want to fund your game,” Outersloth wrote on its website. “We don’t want to publish your game. We don’t want your IP. We just want to see fun, original, and clever games get made. And we want to make that as friendly as possible.”
The funding model is “recoup and reshare,” according to the Outersloth website — meaning that it’ll recoup its investment and then share revenue. Outersloth is looking to fund games with a budget between $50,000 to $2 million.
Given the state of the industry — studios closing, layoffs, and a major lack of funding — Outersloth couldn’t have been announced at a better time.