{{Short description|British video game publisher}} {{Lead too short|date=April 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use British English|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Curve Games Limited | former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Curve Studios|Curve Digital}} | type = Private | industry = Video games | predecessor = Blue52 | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2005}} | founder = Jason Perkins | hq_location_city = London | hq_location_country = England | area_served = Worldwide | parent = Catalis Group (2016–2025)<br>Nazara Technologies (2025–present) | subsid = IronOak Games | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Bradley Crooks (COO)|Stuart Dinsey (CEO)}} | website = {{URL|http://curvegames.com/}} }}
'''Curve Games Limited''' (formerly '''Curve Digital Limited''' and '''Curve Studios Limited''') is a British video game publisher and former video game developer based in London, founded in 2005 by Jason Perkins. It focuses on the publishing of indie games.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Studio Profile: Curve |first=Chris |last=Schilling |date=18 December 2018 |magazine=Edge}}</ref>
== History == Curve Studios was the successor to Blue52, who released the games ''Stolen'' and ''Peter Pan: The Legend of Never Land'' before shutting down, with the core team migrating to what would become Curve Studios after the development of the former.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=2005-03-21 |title=Blue 52 shuts down |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-52-shuts-down/1100-6120741/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420064202/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-52-shuts-down/1100-6120741/ |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> They would then form close relationships with Sony Computer Entertainment and Nintendo in their early years, developing instalments in the ''Buzz!'' series for the former and creating ''Fluidity'' for the latter.
In 2013, Curve Studios announced that they would begin publishing games, marking their transition to a video game publisher of indie games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/uk-indie-curve-studios-moves-into-publishing |title=UK indie Curve Studios moves into publishing |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=7 March 2013 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425054658/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/188020/UK_indie_Curve_Studios_moves_into_publishing.php |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2016, Curve Digital was acquired by Catalis Group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-01-07-the-catalis-group-buys-curve-digital |title=The Catalis Group buys Curve Digital |first=Matthew |last=Handrahan |date=7 January 2016 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619082223/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-01-07-the-catalis-group-buys-curve-digital |archive-date=19 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Catalis was then sold to NorthEdge Capital in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-14-northedge-capital-acquires-curve-digital-parent-catalis |title=NorthEdge Capital acquires Curve Digital parent Catalis |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=14 October 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014121607/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-14-northedge-capital-acquires-curve-digital-parent-catalis |archive-date=14 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2019, Curve Digital purchased Brighton-based Runner Duck, who had previously developed ''Space Crew'' for Curve Digital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2019-03-14 |title=Curve Digital parent Catalis acquires Bomber Crew developer |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/curve-digital-parent-catalis-acquires-bomber-crew-developer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520224500/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/curve-digital-parent-catalis-acquires-bomber-crew-developer |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> In November 2020, Curve Digital acquired Vancouver-based IronOak Games, who had previously developed ''For the King'' with Curve Digital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Handrahan |first=Matthew |date=2020-11-02 |title=Curve Digital acquires IronOak Games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/curve-digital-acquires-ironoak-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520224929/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/curve-digital-acquires-ironoak-games |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>
The company rebranded itself to Curve Games in October 2021 as part of their commitment to better support developers.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/curve-digital-rebrands-as-curve-games | title = Curve Digital rebrands as Curve Games | first = Sal | last =Romano |date = October 19, 2021 | accessdate =October 19, 2021 | work = Gematsu }}</ref>
In May 2025, Curve Games and its studios were acquired by Indian company Nazara Technologies from Catalis Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2025-05-20 |title=Human Fall Flat publisher Curve Games has been acquired by Nazara Technologies for £21.6m |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/human-fall-flat-publisher-curve-games-has-been-acquired-by-nazara-technologies-for-21-6m/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520141218/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/human-fall-flat-publisher-curve-games-has-been-acquired-by-nazara-technologies-for-21-6m/ |archive-date=2025-05-20 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=VGC |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Games developed == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Platform(s) |- | rowspan="2" |2008 |''Buzz!: Master Quiz'' | rowspan="4" |PlayStation Portable |- |''Buzz!: Brain Bender'' |- | rowspan="2" |2009 |''Buzz!: Brain of the World'' |- |''Buzz!: Quiz World'' |- | 2010 | ''Fluidity''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/10/fluidity-review |title=Fluidity Review |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield |date=9 December 2010 |website=IGN |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402082922/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/10/fluidity-review |archive-date=2 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Wii |- | rowspan="2" | 2011 | ''Explodemon''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/07/15/explodemon-pc/ |title=Explodemon! Sees The Light |first=Alec |last=Meer |date=15 July 2011 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719193048/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/07/15/explodemon-pc/ |archive-date=19 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | PlayStation 3, Windows |- | ''Stealth Bastard''<ref name="Steal Bastard PS3 PSV">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-02-stealth-bastard-coming-to-ps3-and-vita-this-summer |title=Stealth Bastard coming to PS3 and Vita this summer |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=25 April 2013 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064335/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-02-stealth-bastard-coming-to-ps3-and-vita-this-summer |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://indiegamesplus.com/2011/11/browser_game_pick_stealth_bast |title=Freeware Game Pick: Stealth Bastard (Curve Studios) |first=John |last=Polson |date=4 November 2011 |website=Indie Games Plus |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926011547/https://indiegamesplus.com/2011/11/browser_game_pick_stealth_bast |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Android, iOS |- | 2012 | ''Fluidity: Spin Cycle''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/31/fluidity-spin-cycle-review |title=Fluidity: Spin Cycle Review |first=Lucas M. |last=Thomas |date=31 January 2013 |website=IGN |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131043627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/31/fluidity-spin-cycle-review |archive-date=31 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Nintendo 3DS |- | 2014 | ''Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-01-theres-a-new-wii-u-exclusive-coming-this-year |title=There's a new Wii U exclusive coming this year |first=Martin |last=Robinson |date=1 May 2014 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030234425/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-01-theres-a-new-wii-u-exclusive-coming-this-year |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox One |}
== Games published == {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Platform(s) ! Developer |- | rowspan="5" |2013 | ''Lone Survivor''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-13-lone-survivor-is-coming-to-ps3-and-ps-vita |title=Lone Survivor is coming to PS3 and Vita |first=Jeffrey |last=Matulef |date=13 November 2012 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003040/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-13-lone-survivor-is-coming-to-ps3-and-ps-vita |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rowspan="2" | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita | Superflat Games |- | ''Proteus''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/curve-studios-is-bringing-proteus-to-ps3-and-vita/ |title=Curve Studios is bringing Proteus to PS3 and Vita |first=Neil |last=Long |date=1 July 2013 |magazine=Edge |access-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109003331/http://www.edge-online.com/news/curve-studios-is-bringing-proteus-to-ps3-and-vita/ |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Ed Key and David Kanaga |- | ''Velocity Ultra'' | PlayStation 3, Windows | FuturLab |- | ''Thomas Was Alone''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/thomas-was-alone-coming-to-ps3-and-vita/ |title=Thomas Was Alone coming to PS3 and Vita |first=Neil |last=Long |date=27 February 2013 |magazine=Edge |access-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514114606/http://www.edge-online.com/news/thomas-was-alone-coming-to-ps3-and-vita/ |archive-date=14 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | Mike Bithell |- | ''The Swapper''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/the-swapper-announced-for-ps3-ps4-and-vita |title=The Swapper announced for PS3, PS4, and Vita |first=Chris |last=Pereira |date=26 February 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217145511/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/the-swapper-announced-for-ps3-ps4-and-vita |archive-date=17 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Wii U | Facepalm Games |- | rowspan="3" |2014 | ''Titan Attacks'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS | Puppy Games |- | ''Mousecraft'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 | Crunching Koalas |- | ''Lone Survivor: Director's Cut'' | PlayStation 4, Wii U | Superflat Games |- | rowspan="8" | 2015 | ''OlliOlli''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/olliolli-coming-to-xbox-one-wii-u-and-3ds/1100-6423951/ |title=OlliOlli Coming to Xbox One, Wii U, and 3DS |first=Rob |last=Crossley |date=3 December 2014 |website=GameSpot |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409145937/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/olliolli-coming-to-xbox-one-wii-u-and-3ds/1100-6423951/ |archive-date=9 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS | Roll7 |- | ''Porcunipine'' | Windows | Big Green Pillow |- | ''The Swindle'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | Size Five Games |- | ''Nova-111'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | Funktronic Labs |- | ''Murder'' | Windows, iOS, Android | Peter Moorhead |- | ''Ultratron'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, Windows | Puppy Games |- | ''Action Henk''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-05-speedrunning-platformer-action-henk-butt-slides-to-all-current-consoles-this-summer |title=Speedrunning platformer Action Henk butt-slides to multiple consoles this summer |first=Jeffery |last=Matulef |date=5 June 2015 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630045817/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-05-speedrunning-platformer-action-henk-butt-slides-to-all-current-consoles-this-summer |archive-date=30 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | Ragesquid |- | ''Pumped BMX +'' | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, Windows | Yeah Us! |- | rowspan="8" |2016 |''The Flame in the Flood'' |PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows |The Molasses Flood |- | ''Human: Fall Flat''<ref name=notypical/> | Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 | No Brakes Games |- | ''10 Second Ninja X'' | PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | Four Circle Interactive |- | ''Hue'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation Vita | Fiddlesticks |- | ''Dear Esther: Landmark Edition'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | The Chinese Room |- | ''Manual Samuel'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch | Perfectly Paranormal |- | ''The Little Acre'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | Pewter Games Studios |- | ''Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | Game Swing |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 | ''Bomber Crew''<ref name=notypical/> | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Runner Duck |- | ''Jump Stars'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | Jamit Games |- | ''Serial Cleaner'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows | iFun4all |- | rowspan="5" | 2018 | ''Beholder: Complete Edition'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Warm Lamp Games |- | ''For the King''<ref name=notypical/> | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | IronOak Games |- | ''A Knight's Quest''<ref name=notypical>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/there-is-no-typical-curve-game|title=There is no typical Curve game|last=Batchelor|first=James|work=GamesIndustry.biz|date=2019-07-25|accessdate=2025-09-16}}</ref> | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Sky9 Games |- | ''Smoke and Sacrifice'' | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Solar Sail Games |- | ''Velocity 2X'' | Nintendo Switch | FuturLab |- | rowspan="4" |2019 | ''Narcos: Rise of the Cartels''<ref name=notypical/> | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Kuju Entertainment |- | ''When Ski Lifts Go Wrong''<ref name=notypical/> | Windows, Nintendo Switch | Hugecalf Studios |- | ''Autonauts''<ref name=notypical/> | Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Denki |- | ''American Fugitive''<ref name=notypical/> | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Fallen Tree Games |- | rowspan="5" | 2020 | ''Space Crew<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/08/space-crew-launches-october-15|title=Space Crew launches October 15|website=Gematsu|date=29 August 2020|access-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>'' | Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Runner Duck |- | ''Embr''<ref name="embr stadia release">{{cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Kyle |title=Embr, Stadia's first Early access game, arrives on May 21 |url=https://9to5google.com/2020/05/21/embr-stadia-early-access-may-21/ |website=9to5Google|date=21 May 2020 }}</ref> | Windows, Google Stadia | Muse Games |- |''Hotshot Racing'' |Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |Lucky Mountain Games, Sumo Digital |- |''Wobbly Life'' |Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |RubberBandGames |- |''Drake Hollow'' |Xbox One, Windows |The Molasses Flood |- | rowspan="5" | 2021 | ''The Ascent''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-ascent-delayed-to-2021-will-launch-on-xbox-game-pass/1100-6483846/|title=The Ascent Delayed To 2021, Will Launch On Xbox Game Pass|website=GameSpot|first=Gabe|last=Gurwin|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> | Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Neon Giant |- | ''Lawn Mowing Simulator'' | Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 | Skyhook Games |- | ''Just Die Already'' | Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | DoubleMoose |- | ''I Am Fish'' | Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Bossa Studios |- |''Table Manners'' |Windows |Echo Chamber Games |- | rowspan="6" |2022 |''Chenso Club'' |Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |Pixadome |- |''Golf Gang'' | rowspan="3" |Windows |Lazy Monday Games |- |''Autonauts VS Piratebots'' |Denki |- |''Patch Quest'' |Lychee Game Labs |- |''From Space'' |Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One |Triangle Studios |- |''Block'em'' | rowspan="2" |Windows |Cat Shawl Games |- | rowspan="2" |2023 |''Blooming Business: Casino'' |Homo Ludens |- |''For the King II'' |Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |IronOak Games |- | rowspan="6" |2024 |''Lawn Mowing Simulator VR'' |Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Quest 2 |Skyhook Games |- |''Dungeons of Hinterberg'' |Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |Microbird Games |- |''KitHack Model Club'' |Windows |Floating Origin Interactive |- |''Skye Tales''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Curve joins forces with 4J - Skye Tales & Manic Mechanics |url=https://curvegames.com/news/curve-joins-forces-with-4j-skye-tales-manic-mechanics/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Curve Games |language=en-GB}}</ref> |Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 |Puny Astronaut<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=2022-10-25 |title=4J Studios announces move into publishing |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-announces-move-into-publishing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420082221/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-announces-move-into-publishing |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> |- |''Manic Mechanics''<ref name=":0" /> |Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |4J Studios |- |''Human Fall Flat VR'' |Windows, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, PlayStation 5 |No Brakes Games |- | rowspan="2" |2025 |''Super Loco World'' | rowspan="2" |Windows |Andriy Bychkovskyi |- |''Badlands Crew'' |Runner Duck |- |2026 |''Wax Heads'' |Windows, Xbox Series X/S |Patattie Games |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{Cite news |date=2020-12-09 |title=Building a British Ubisoft – CEO Dominic Wheatley on the Catalis Group's ambitious plans for growth |language=en |work=MCV |url=https://mcvuk.com/business-news/building-a-british-ubisoft-ceo-dominic-wheatley-on-the-catalis-groups-ambitious-plans-for-growth/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |issn=1469-4832}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://curvegames.com/}}
Category:2005 establishments in England Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Islington Category:British companies established in 2005 Category:Video game companies established in 2005 Category:Video game companies of the United Kingdom Category:Video game development companies Category:Video game publishers Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions