{{Short description|Dutch video game publisher}} {{Use British English|date=November 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Good Shepherd Entertainment | logo = Good Shepherd Entertainment Logo.svg | logo_caption = Logo in use since 2017 | former_name = Gambitious Digital Entertainment (2011–2017) | industry = Video games | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2011}} | founders = {{Unbulleted list|Paul Hanraets|Sjoerd Geurts|Harry Miller|Andy Payne|Mike Wilson}} | hq_location_city = The Hague | hq_location_country = Netherlands | num_locations = 2 offices | num_locations_year = 2012 | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Brian Grigsby|(CEO and CFO)|Paul Hanraets|(director, corporate development)}} | num_employees = 23<ref name="Devolver Digital: Annual Report 2022">{{cite web |url=https://investors.devolverdigital.com/files/downloads-and-publications/DevolverDigital-Annual-Report-2022.pdf |title=Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 |date=3 May 2023 |publisher=Devolver Digital |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818140213/https://investors.devolverdigital.com/files/downloads-and-publications/DevolverDigital-Annual-Report-2022.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | num_employees_year = 2022 | parent = Devolver Digital {{nowrap|(2021–present)}} | subsid = Artificer | website = {{URL|https://www.goodshepherd.games/|goodshepherd.games}} }}
'''Good Shepherd Entertainment''' (formerly '''Gambitious Digital Entertainment''') is a Dutch video game publisher based in Amsterdam. The company was founded in 2011 and opened its equity crowdfunding platform in September 2012. Gambitious' publishing label was opened in 2014, offering publishing services. In August 2017, Gambitious Digital Entertainment was rebranded Good Shepherd Entertainment whereas it ceased its crowdfunding activities and fully transitioned into being a publisher. Having been a consultant to the company prior, Brian Grigsby now became the CEO of the company.<ref name="GIbiz: Bigger investments">{{cite web |last1=Handrahaan |first1=Matthew |title=Good Shepherd eyes growth through "bigger investments with bigger titles" |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-07-10-good-shepherd-eyes-growth-through-bigger-investments-with-bigger-titles |website=GamesIndustry |date=10 July 2018 |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316001930/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-07-10-good-shepherd-eyes-growth-through-bigger-investments-with-bigger-titles |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History ==
=== Foundation (2011–2012) === thumb|left|Former Gambitious Digital Entertainment logo, used 2015–2017 Gambitious Digital Entertainment was established in 2011 by chief executive officer Paul Hanraets.<ref name="GIbiz: Proposal">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-09-13-a-gambitious-proposal |title=A Gambitious Proposal? |first=George |last=Osborn |date=13 September 2016 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608122941/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-09-13-a-gambitious-proposal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Control: Rename">{{cite web |url=https://control-online.nl/gamesindustrie/2017/08/17/gambitious-krijgt-nieuwe-naam-en-financiele-injectie/ |title=Gambitious krijgt nieuwe naam en financiële injectie |language=nl |first=Alessandra |last=van Otterlo |date=17 August 2017 |website=Control |access-date=10 December 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125173008/https://control-online.nl/gamesindustrie/2017/08/17/gambitious-krijgt-nieuwe-naam-en-financiele-injectie/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Founding partners include Mike Wilson and Harry Miller of Devolver Digital, Sjoerd Geurts, and Andy Payne.<ref name="Control: Rename" /><ref name="GIbiz: Resurface">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/27/gambitious-resurfaces-with-profitable-titles-and-a-new-way-to-invest-in-games/ |title=Gambitious resurfaces with profitable titles and a new way to invest in games |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=27 January 2016 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=18 July 2017 |archive-date=25 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725094744/https://venturebeat.com/2016/01/27/gambitious-resurfaces-with-profitable-titles-and-a-new-way-to-invest-in-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional funding was provided by business funding platform Symbid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/new-crowdfunding-service-offers-a-game-focused-twist-on-the-kickstarter-formula |title=New crowdfunding service offers a game-focused twist on the Kickstarter formula |first=Tom |last=Curtis |date=5 June 2012 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193538/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/171668/New_crowdfunding_service_offers_a_gamefocused_twist_on_the_Kickstarter_formula.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The company and its crowdfunding platform, also called Gambitious, were formally announced in February 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/equity-based-crowdfunding-platform-gambitious-launching-next-month |title=Equity-based crowdfunding platform Gambitious launching next month |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=14 February 2012 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127234316/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/129641/Equitybased_crowdfunding_platform_Gambitious_launching_next_month.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-02-14-new-equity-based-crowdfunding-platform-to-launch |title=New equity based crowdfunding platform to launch |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=14 February 2012 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193836/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-02-14-new-equity-based-crowdfunding-platform-to-launch |url-status=live }}</ref> By June 2012, the company was headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with another office in Austin, Texas, United States.<ref name="GIbiz: Resurface" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/06/04/gambitious-creates-crowdfunding-just-for-games/ |title=Gambitious creates crowdfunding just for games |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=4 June 2012 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193947/https://venturebeat.com/2012/06/04/gambitious-creates-crowdfunding-just-for-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The shareholdings of Miller and Wilson, while independent from Devolver Digital, made for a controlling interest.<ref name="GIbiz: Proposal" />
=== Crowdfunding (2012–2013) === Gambitious' crowdfunding platform was opened on 25 September 2012.<ref name="GIbiz: Launch">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-25-new-crowdfunding-platform-gambitious-launches |title=New crowdfunding platform Gambitious launches |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=25 September 2012 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193619/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-25-new-crowdfunding-platform-gambitious-launches |url-status=live }}</ref> The platform was described as a hybrid crowd-finance platform and indie publishing label.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/6/14311836/crowdfunding-video-games-down-in-2016-kickstarter-fig-gambitious |title=Crowdfunding for video games was way down in 2016 |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=6 February 2017 |website=Polygon |access-date=11 July 2017 |archive-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625015749/https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/6/14311836/crowdfunding-video-games-down-in-2016-kickstarter-fig-gambitious |url-status=live }}</ref> The first product featured on Gambitious' platform was to be a sequel to ''Mushroom Men''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2012/09/25/gambitious-mushroom-men-sequel-is-first-featured-crowd-fund-project/ |title=Gambitious: Mushroom Men sequel is first featured crowd-fund project |first=Dave |last=Cook |date=25 September 2012 |website=VG247 |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193959/https://www.vg247.com/2012/09/25/gambitious-mushroom-men-sequel-is-first-featured-crowd-fund-project/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first game featured became Train Fever instead.
According to Wilson, the idea behind the company was to create "a platform that brings investors and developers together to create great games to their mutual benefit".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/mike-wilson-explains-gambitious-plans-for-funding-indie-devs |title=Mike Wilson explains Gambitious' plans for funding indie devs |first=Joel |last=Couture |date=3 February 2016 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193523/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/265006/Mike_Wilson_explains_Gambitious_plans_for_funding_indie_devs.php |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2013, Gambitious successfully closed their first equity-based crowdfunding campaign for ''Train Fever'', which raised €250,000 from 640 international investors.
Gambitious also experimented by offering pledging as a funding option on their platform. This resulted in a successful funding for charity SpecialEffect, which raised 113% of it target aimed towards purchasing specialised computers for severely disabled gamers that can be controlled using eye movement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-13-special-effect-launches-crowdfunding-drive |title=Special Effect launches crowdfunding drive |first=Dan |last=Pearson |date=13 September 2013 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193656/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-13-special-effect-launches-crowdfunding-drive |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Changes to crowdfunding (2015–2017) === Due to international regulatory differences on the topic of equity-based crowdfunding, Gambitious was forced to restructure their model several times, leading to the eventual decision to officially separate from Symbid in February 2015 and transition into an independent game publisher. Between 2015 and 2017 Gambitious utilises an evolving set of crowd finance tools and techniques in order to fund their games. Whereby they rely on a private network of investors who invest alongside them under the same exact terms and conditions. In January 2016, Gambitious opened their network to new United States accredited and European investors. On 16 August 2017, Gambitious was rebranded as Good Shepherd Entertainment.<ref name="Polygon: Rename">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/16/16153762/investment-platform-gambitious-is-now-called-good-shepherd-entertainment |title=Investment platform Gambitious is now called Good Shepherd Entertainment |first=Charlie |last=Hall |date=16 August 2017 |website=Polygon |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201635/https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/16/16153762/investment-platform-gambitious-is-now-called-good-shepherd-entertainment |url-status=live }}</ref> and transitioned from a crowdfunding platform to a publisher collaborating with a private network of accredited<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cronin |first1=Audrey |title=Game Investment Platform & Publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment Reports Strong Investor Returns |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170905006369/en/Game-Investment-Platform-Publisher-Good-Shepherd-Entertainment |website=Business Wire |date=5 September 2017 |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905221328/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170905006369/en/Game-Investment-Platform-Publisher-Good-Shepherd-Entertainment |url-status=live }}</ref> investors upon request. The company also received a new investment by Advance/Newhouse, through which they opened new full-time positions.<ref name="Polygon: Rename" /> At this time, the company had 12 employees.<ref name="Polygon: Rename" />
=== Indie game publishing (2013–present) === Every game that Gambitious has signed on has been funded and released, with four of the first six titles delivering profits to investors in the first month following release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-01-29-gambitious-interview |title=Gambitious: 3 years, 6 successful projects |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=29 January 2016 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193831/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-01-29-gambitious-interview |url-status=live }}</ref> Gambitious had a core group of 30 investors.<ref name="MCV: Secrets">{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development/gambitious-on-the-secrets-of-crowdfunding-success |title=Gambitious on the secrets of crowdfunding success |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=10 February 2016 |website=MCV |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107211109/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/gambitious-on-the-secrets-of-crowdfunding-success/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2019, Good Shepherd Entertainment partnered with Lionsgate Games and announced John Wick Hex.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brief |first1=Staff |title=Good Shepherd, Lionsgate Launch 'John Wick Hex' Video Game |url=https://brief.promax.org/article/good-shepherd-lionsgate-launches-john-wick-hex-video-game |website=The Daily Brief |date=30 May 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107211152/https://brief.promax.org/article/good-shepherd-lionsgate-launches-john-wick-hex-video-game |url-status=live }}</ref> Paul Hanraets stated that Good Shepherd intends to focus on triple-I games and similar licence-holder collaborations.<ref name="GIbiz: Bigger investments" /> According to Hanraets, the company has access to popular pop-culture IPs like John Wick, which it will pair with experienced indie developers.
In April 2019, Good Shepherd Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Artificer, a Warsaw based game development studio founded by the core team responsible for Hard West and Phantom Doctrine.<ref>{{cite web |title=GOOD SHEPHERD ENTERTAINMENT TAKES MAJORITY STAKE IN AMBITIOUS NEW DEVELOPMENT STUDIO, ARTIFICER |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/340483/GOOD_SHEPHERD_ENTERTAINMENT_TAKES_MAJORITY_STAKE_IN_AMBITIOUS_NEW_DEVELOPMENT_STUDIO_ARTIFICER.php |website=Gamasutra |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411104014/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/340483/GOOD_SHEPHERD_ENTERTAINMENT_TAKES_MAJORITY_STAKE_IN_AMBITIOUS_NEW_DEVELOPMENT_STUDIO_ARTIFICER.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Artificer consists of over 30 team-members who have previously worked on numerous titles including the Call of Juarez and the Dead Island series.
Devolver Digital bought Good Shepherd on 7 January 2021.<ref name="Devolver Digital Admission">{{cite web |url=https://investors.devolverdigital.com/files/downloads-and-publications/Admission-Document-Devolver-Digital-Inc.pdf |title=Devolver Digital, Inc. {{!}} AIM Admission Document {{!}} November 2021 |date=November 4, 2021 |publisher=Devolver Digital |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105000020/https://investors.devolverdigital.com/files/downloads-and-publications/Admission-Document-Devolver-Digital-Inc.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 31, 2024, 25 employees were laid off from Artificer with another 10-12 workers expected to be let go in the next few months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=2024-01-10 |title=59 Days Into 2024 And 8,100+ Video Game Layoffs Have Been Announced |url=https://kotaku.com/game-industry-layoffs-how-many-2024-unity-twitch-1851155818 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref>
== Games ==
=== Games published === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year of release ! Title ! Developer(s) ! Platform(s) |- | 2014 |''Train Fever'' |Urban Games |Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- | rowspan="6" | 2015 |''Magnetic: Cage Closed'' |Guru Games | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One |- |''Breach & Clear: Deadline'' |{{Unbulleted list|Mighty Rabbit Studios|Gun Media}} | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Xeodrifter'' |Renegade Kid |Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita |- |''Pathologic Classic HD'' |Ice-Pick Lodge | Microsoft Windows |- |''Hard West'' |CreativeForge Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Oh...Sir!'' |Vile Monarch |iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- | rowspan="6" | 2016 |''Hard Reset Redux'' |Flying Wild Hog | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |- |''Crush Your Enemies'' |Vile Monarch |Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Zombie Night Terror'' |NoClip | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''RunGunJumpGun'' |ThirtyThree | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |- |''Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator'' |Vile Monarch | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |- |''Transport Fever'' |Urban Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 |''Diluvion'' |Arachnid Games | macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Oh...Sir! The Hollywood Roast'' |Vile Monarch | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |- |''Redeemer'' |Sobaka Studio | Microsoft Windows |- | rowspan="5" | 2018 |''Where the Water Tastes Like Wine'' |Dim Bulb Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''MachiaVillain'' |WildFactor | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Milanoir'' |Italo Games | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |- |''Semblance'' |Nyamakop | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |- |''Phantom Doctrine'' |CreativeForge Games | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |- | rowspan="3" |2019 |''John Wick Hex'' |Bithell Games | macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One |- |''Black Future '88'' |Super Scary Snakes | macOS, Microsoft Windows |- |''Transport Fever 2'' |Urban Games | Linux, Microsoft Windows |- |rowspan="2" |2020 |''Monster Train'' |Shiny Shoe | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 5 |- |''OlliOlli: Switch Stance'' |Roll7 |Nintendo Switch |- |2021 |''The Eternal Cylinder'' |ACE Team | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |- |2022 |''Hard West 2'' |Ice Code Games | Microsoft Windows |- | rowspan="2" |2023 |''Showgunners'' |Artificer |Microsoft Windows |- |''Hellboy Web of Wyrd'' | Upstream Arcade | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |- |2024 |''Dicefolk'' | LEAP Game Studios, Tiny Ghoul | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/05/dicefolk-for-switch-launches-june-20 |title=Dicefolk for Switch launches June 20 |work=Gematsu |date=16 May 2024 |access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref> |- |2024 |''Demon's Mirror'' | Be-Rad Entertainment | Microsoft Windows |- |2025 |''Moroi'' | Violet Saint | Microsoft Windows<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/01/dark-fantasy-hack-and-slash-action-adventure-game-moroi-for-pc-launches-in-early-2025 |title=Dark fantasy hack-and-slash action adventure game Moroi for PC launches in early 2025 |work=Gematsu |date=14 January 2024 |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> |}
=== Games re-released === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year of re-release ! Year of original release ! Title ! Developer(s) ! Platform(s) |- | rowspan="4" | 2015 | 2014 | ''Breach & Clear'' | Mighty Rabbit Studios | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |- | 2013 | ''Mutant Mudds Deluxe'' | Renegade Kid | Microsoft Windows |- | 2014 | ''Xeodrifter'' | Renegade Kid | Microsoft Windows |- | 2011 | ''Hard Reset'' | Flying Wild Hog | Microsoft Windows |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://goodshepherd.games/}}
Category:Companies based in Amsterdam Category:Video game companies established in 2011 Category:Dutch companies established in 2011 Category:Video game companies of the Netherlands Category:Video game publishers Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions