Mohawk Games
Mohawk Games is an independent strategy game studio founded in 2013 by Civilization IV's lead designer, developing premium titles including the historical 4X game Old World, sold directly via Steam, GOG, Epic, and Stove storefronts with ongoing DLC support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Mohawk Games does
Mohawk Games is an independent video game studio founded in 2013 by Soren Johnson, the Lead Designer of Civilization IV, and is headquartered in Washington, United States, operating as a Delaware corporation. The studio develops premium strategy games, with its flagship title Old World being a historical 4X strategy game set in classical antiquity that launched on July 1, 2021. Built on the Unity game engine (version 6000.3.15f1 as of Update #147), Old World introduces three differentiating design systems: an Orders system where Orders function as a resource players spend to command units rather than limiting each unit to one action per turn; a narrative-driven events engine producing 200+ events per DLC; and a mortality-driven dynasty/succession system where real historical leaders die and pass power to heirs. The studio also operates Offworld Trading Company, a Mars colonization economic RTS originally launched prior to Old World.
Mohawk Games operates a direct-to-consumer business model, selling its games through four major digital storefronts—Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and the Korean platform Stove—at standard premium PC gaming pricing. Revenue is generated through one-time license fees for the base game and DLC expansions; the studio has released at least seven major DLC expansions for Old World since launch, including Wonders and Dynasties (2024-01), Behind the Throne (2024-05), Wrath of Gods (2025-03), and Empires of the Indus (2026-03). The company's target segment is individual strategy game enthusiasts who value replayability, historical settings, and complex dynasty mechanics, and the studio cultivates this audience through community channels including a Discord server, podcasts (Company Chat and Meet The Team), and an active modding community with official wiki and modding documentation.
Mohawk Games is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, operates with a small core team of industry veterans supplemented by contractors, and does not publicly disclose revenue. Leadership consists of CEO Leyla Johnson (Creative Director) and Design Director Soren Johnson; the broader team includes alumni of Firaxis, ZeniMax Online Studios, and Disney. The studio maintains no physical retail distribution, no disclosed funding history, and no parent company, operating as a bootstrapped, founder-controlled entity sustained by long-tail premium game sales and ongoing DLC content investment.
Mohawk Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mohawk Games
- Legal name
- Mohawk Games Inc.
- Website
- https://mohawkgames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Mohawk Games is an independent strategy game studio founded in 2013 by Civilization IV's lead designer, developing premium titles including the historical 4X game Old World, sold directly via Steam, GOG, Epic, and Stove storefronts with ongoing DLC support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mohawk Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Strategy Video Games
- NAICS
- Amusement Arcades (713120), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- PC Digital Game Stores & Launchers (MPAFACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- In-Game Item Marketplaces & Trading Platforms (MPAFACAJ)
Keywords
Where Mohawk Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mohawk Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales (Base Game): Mohawk Games sells Old World as a premium base game on digital storefronts (Steam, GOG, Epic, Stove). The game launched at full price with a history of early access prior to launch.
- DLC Expansions: The company generates revenue through paid DLC expansions for Old World, including Wonders and Dynasties, Behind the Throne, Pharaohs of the Nile, Heroes of the Aegean, Wrath of Gods, Empires of the Indus, and others. Each DLC adds new nations, events, mechanics, and content.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Mohawk Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mohawk Games develops and sells premium strategy video games directly to consumers via major PC digital storefronts. Its flagship product is Old World, a historical 4X strategy game built around an innovative Orders resource system, narrative-driven events, and a mortal-leader dynasty mechanic. The studio also sells Offworld Trading Company, a Mars economic RTS, and supports both titles with paid DLC expansions that add nations, mechanics, and content.
Product overview
Mohawk Games is an independent game studio that develops innovative strategy games, primarily producing historical 4X and economic strategy titles. The company's core product portfolio consists of Old World, a historical 4X strategy game featuring innovative Orders mechanics, narrative-driven events, and extensive multiplayer support, along with Offworld Trading Company, a Mars colonization economic RTS. The studio has released multiple DLC expansions for Old World including Wonders and Dynasties, Behind the Throne, Wrath of Gods, and Empires of the Indus, which add new playable nations, scenarios, mechanics, and content to the base game. Games are distributed through major storefronts including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and the Korean platform Stove.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Old World A historical 4X strategy game set in classic antiquity, created by Soren Johnson (Lead Designer of Civilization IV). Players select a historical leader and use the innovative Orders system to dominate the competition; leaders are mortal and succession to heirs determines the nation's future. Features narrative-driven events, asynchronous multiplayer, hotseat, scenarios, modding support, and is available on Steam, Epic, GOG, and Stove.
- Offworld Trading Company A fast-paced economic real-time strategy game set on colonized Mars, where players build companies to support the colony as Earth's corporate titans compete for market dominance. Players adapt to a changing economy to outperform competitors.
- Wonders and Dynasties DLC DLC expansion for Old World that adds new content including wonders and dynasty-related mechanics to the base historical 4X strategy game.
- Behind the Throne DLC DLC expansion for Old World that adds court politics mechanics, 350+ new events, new historical characters, projects, improvements, and political systems to the base game.
- Wrath of Gods DLC DLC expansion for Old World that introduces natural disaster mechanics, a new playable kingdom (Aksum) with five historical leaders, a Wrath of Gods scenario, 200+ new events, new projects, character traits, and map scripts. Also includes Korean localization.
- Empires of the Indus DLC DLC expansion for Old World that adds three playable nations (Mauryas, Yuezhi/Kushan, Tamilakam), the Huns as a new tribe, two religions (Hinduism, Buddhism), four new wonders, jungle vegetation, over 200 new events, ambitions, Cognomens, and rare resources.
Quantifiable outcome
- Active development support for over 12 years since founding (2013–present)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Mohawk Games
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Mohawk Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature4 records
Mohawk Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Christopher TinminorGrammy Award-winning composer Christopher Tin (known for Civilization IV's 'Baba Yetu') produced the musical score for Old World. This was a notable creative collaboration that brought high-profile musical talent to the game's production.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mohawk Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stardock: Independent developer of Galactic Civilizations, a 4X space strategy franchise. Similar indie-to-mid-size developer profile with long-running PC strategy IP and direct DLC-driven monetization.
- Amplitude Studios: Developer of Humankind and the Endless series — direct historical 4X competitor to Old World. Now owned by SEGA but historically operated as an independent studio of similar size profile.
- Firaxis Games: Developer of the Civilization series and the studio where Mohawk's founders (Soren Johnson, Alex Mantzaris, Mark Shahan, Jason Pastrana) previously worked. Most direct lineage and design peer — competing in the historical 4X genre with much larger resources.
- Paradox Interactive: Developer and publisher of grand strategy titles (Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Stellaris, Victoria) on PC. Closest direct competitor in PC strategy/4X-adjacent genre with similar Steam-led distribution and DLC-driven long-tail monetization.
- Creative Assembly: Developer of Total War series, the dominant historical strategy franchise on PC. Competes for the same historical-strategy enthusiast wallet share as Old World.
- Relic Entertainment: Developer of Age of Empires and Company of Heroes. Competes in the historical strategy space on PC; Age of Empires franchise overlaps with Mohawk's core audience.
- Slitherine/Matrix Games: Publisher and developer of wargaming and strategy titles (e.g., Field of Glory, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector). Similar indie-to-mid-size profile distributing strategy games via Steam and GOG.
Broad incumbents
- 2K Games: Publisher of the Civilization franchise via Firaxis. A broader incumbent in PC strategy publishing that competes for strategy game shelf space and marketing visibility.
- SEGA (publisher of Total War): Owner of Creative Assembly and publisher of Total War — broader incumbent in PC strategy publishing. Relevant as the publisher/distribution counterparty for similar strategy IP.
Emerging players
- Proxy Studios: Developer of Warhammer 40,000: Gladius — a 4X strategy title on PC. Smaller, niche 4X competitor with comparable indie studio structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mohawk Games social profiles
Digital presenceMohawk Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mohawk Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Mohawk Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mohawk Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mohawk Games
What does Mohawk Games do?
Mohawk Games develops and sells premium strategy video games directly to consumers via major PC digital storefronts. Its flagship product is Old World, a historical 4X strategy game built around an innovative Orders resource system, narrative-driven events, and a mortal-leader dynasty mechanic. The studio also sells Offworld Trading Company, a Mars economic RTS, and supports both titles with paid DLC expansions that add nations, mechanics, and content.
Is Mohawk Games a public or private company?
Mohawk Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Mohawk Games founded?
Mohawk Games was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Mohawk Games based?
Mohawk Games is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mohawk Games make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales (Base Game) is the primary driver. The others are DLC Expansions.
Who are Mohawk Games's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stardock, Amplitude Studios, Firaxis Games, Paradox Interactive, Creative Assembly, Relic Entertainment and Slitherine/Matrix Games. Broad incumbents are 2K Games and SEGA (publisher of Total War). Proxy Studios is listed as an emerging player.
Does Mohawk Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mohawk Games.
What industry is Mohawk Games in?
Mohawk Games's product category is Strategy Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFACAA, PC Digital Game Stores & Launchers, with a secondary code of MPAFACAJ, In-Game Item Marketplaces & Trading Platforms. Its NAICS code is 713120 and its SIC code is 7900.