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In our latest Develop Awards partner spotlight we speak to Deep Silver UK head of publishing Stuart Chiplin about the company, its work and its message to this year’s finalists.
Deep Silver has signed up to support this year’s Develop Awards as Platinum Partner. The event will take place just one week away on July 10th, and only a few places remain.
Company/organisation name: Koch Media (Deep Silver)
Year founded: 1994 (2002)
Website: www.kochmedia.co.uk (www.deepsilver.com)
Could you introduce your company to our readers who might not know your role or goals?
Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.
Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including own brands like the critically acclaimed zombie action franchise Dead Island, action role-playing games from the Sacred world, successful adventures such as the Secret Files series and the role-playing realms of Risen.
Other new and upcoming highlights from Deep Silver include Saints Row IV, Sacred 3 and Metro: Last Light. Deep Silver also owns the development studio Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com.
Koch Media is a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products (software, games and films). The company’s own publishing activities, marketing and distribution extend throughout Europe and the USA. The Koch Media group has more than 18 years of experience in the digital media distribution business, and has risen to become the number one distributor in Europe.
It has also formed strategic alliances with numerous games and software publishers: Bethesda, Capcom, Kaspersky Labs, NC SOFT, Sega, Square Enix and Tecmo-Koei, etc. in various European countries. With headquarters in Planegg near Munich/Germany, Koch Media owns branches in Germany, England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Nordic regions, Benelux and the USA. www.kochmedia.com.
What distinguishes your company from similar outfits? In other words, what’s unique about your organisation?
The people who work for Koch Media / Deep Silver are dedicated to making every single product we manage or publish a success. We are in a unique position as one of the leading distributors of digital entertainment products to manage a wide range of products through a wide range of publishers.
What excites and/or encourages you about the games industry today?
For sure the advent of new console hardware is always going to invigorate the market and game design. But the most interesting area, as always, is the PC market. Blossoming independent developers, Kickstarter opportunities for classic brands, innovative hardware solutions such as Piston and Oculus are just a few of these.
Plus the next generation are pretty much running on the same technology now anyway, so fingers crossed for better independent support on these platforms.
Looking at the Develop Awards finalists, what does it say to you about today’s games industry?
Some great triple-A developers in there; such as Crytek, Sumo and Stainless. But it’s great to see recognition blooming for the small team developers. I may not play as much as I used to (thanks to an unhealthy addiction to Minecraft) but I love looking at these lists and making an effort to play at least 1 game from each category. Though saying that I think I’m already ahead, having finished around a third of the finalists games already.
Favourite? I’d have to say “The Room”. When I can sit down with my wife and play a video game together, that’s the future…
Do you have a message for the Develop Awards finalists?
Good luck of course, but just being one of the finalists is an amazing achievement. Perhaps Deep Silver Volition will be up for an award next year!
Was there anything else you wanted to say about your company or the Develop Awards?
I am really glad that Koch recognises the Develop institution. From the great atmosphere in the networking lounge to over-drinking at the awards. Many faces, new and old (a lot of old), plus there are always a few surprises. Last year? The weather, wow that caught most of us out.
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The Develop Awards will take place on July 10th at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton, just one week away.
To book a place, contact Kathryn.Humphrey@intentmedia.co.uk or call 01992 535 646.
For sponsorship and partner opportunities contact Alex.Boucher@intentmedia.co.uk or call 01992 535 647.
You can read the the full set of this year’s Develop Awards finalists here.
For more information, visit the official Develop Awards website.
