New Indie Publisher Aims to Embrace the Unconventional

An innovative new indie publisher named Pantaloon is making waves in the gaming industry by focusing on unique and experimental titles. Founded by Jamin Smith, who has experience at Square Enix and Modern Wolf, Pantaloon aims to support games that take risks and explore unconventional genres. The publisher's mission is to create a home for "misfit" games that don't conform to traditional publishing structures. Their first projects include the psychological narrative puzzle game Sub-Verge and a cosmic horror solitaire game called Occlude. Pantaloon is also planning to bring its own title, Puzzletrunk, from Itch.io to Steam later this year. This approach contrasts with mainstream publishers, who often shy away from riskier projects, leading to a gaming landscape filled with sequels and formulaic releases.

Pantaloon's mission is to actively seek out and support peculiar and experimental games that explore unconventional genre territory, providing a platform for developers to take risks without being constrained by traditional publishing models.

Pantaloon’s formation comes at an interesting time in the gaming industry, especially after the success of titles like Baldur's Gate 3, which embraced innovation. The indie scene is known for its creativity but also faces challenges related to visibility and monetization. By championing risk-taking games, Pantaloon could help fill the void for players seeking unique experiences that mainstream publishers often overlook, thus enhancing the diversity and depth of the gaming landscape.