Team Nava Games
Team Nava Games is a Leipzig-based indie game studio developing VIVID, a scientifically grounded plant-based narrative survival video game for global Steam and mobile consumers, combining ecological storytelling with real-biology mechanics ahead of a Q1/2027 launch.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersLeipzig, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Team Nava Games does
Team Nava Games is a privately held, purpose-driven indie game studio headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, operating as Team Nava Games UG (haftungsbeschränkt). Founded by co-founders Martin John (Business Lead) and Steven Listemann (Creative Lead), the studio is built around a single product line: VIVID, a narrative survival video game in which players experience the challenges of germination, growth, and survival from a plant's perspective. VIVID is described by the company as probably the world's first scientifically grounded plant-based survival game, merging ecological storytelling, emotional narrative, and real-biology mechanics. The game is scheduled for release on Steam and mobile devices in Q1/2027, with additional platforms under consideration.
The studio's underlying technology is a proprietary game design architecture rather than a software platform or AI stack, centered on simulating plant lifecycle mechanics under climate, competition, and time pressure. Distribution is digital-first via Steam (PC) and mobile app stores globally, supported by a community-led go-to-market motion that includes public development diaries (14+ parts), an active Discord server launched February 2026, a Patreon tier for exclusive content, a Startnext crowdfunding campaign launched March 2026 for talent acquisition, and event showcases (notably gamescom 2026).
The business model combines planned one-time game license sales on Steam and mobile with recurring Patreon support, PayPal donations, and grant-based non-dilutive funding from regional German public institutions (Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung GmbH, City of Leipzig, Free State of Saxony, and Sächsische Aufbaubank). Pricing is positioned as fair and free from microtransactions or dark patterns. Target customers are individual consumers globally, segmented into gamers seeking meaningful narrative experiences and environmentally conscious consumers interested in ecological themes. As of mid-2026, the studio remains pre-revenue, with the team reported at 9+ members including the first full-time employee hired in October 2025.
Team Nava Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Team Nava Games
- Legal name
- Team Nava Games UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
- Website
- https://teamnavagames.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Team Nava Games is a Leipzig-based indie game studio developing VIVID, a scientifically grounded plant-based narrative survival video game for global Steam and mobile consumers, combining ecological storytelling with real-biology mechanics ahead of a Q1/2027 launch.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Team Nava Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL)
Keywords
Where Team Nava Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leipzig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Team Nava Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales (Steam and Mobile): Primary revenue from selling VIVID on Steam and mobile platforms. Scheduled for Q1/2027 release.
- Patreon Support: Ongoing community support through Patreon membership, providing development diary access and exclusive content.
- Crowdfunding (StartNext): Crowdfunding campaign for talent acquisition, launched March 2026.
- Donations (PayPal): Direct support via PayPal donations accepted.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard game pricing model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Team Nava Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Team Nava Games is a purpose-driven indie game studio developing VIVID, a narrative plant-based survival video game designed to be experienced from a more-than-human (plant) perspective. The game combines emotional storytelling, innovative game design, and scientific insights grounded in real plant biology to deliver a survival challenge of germination, growth, and competition in a climate-driven environment. VIVID is being built for release on Steam and mobile devices in Q1/2027, with no microtransactions or dark patterns in its pricing model.
Product overview
Team Nava Games is a purpose-driven indie game studio that creates a single narrative video game product: VIVID. VIVID is a plant-based survival game where players experience gameplay from a plant's perspective, combining emotional storytelling with scientific insights. The studio is currently developing VIVID for release on Steam and mobile platforms, with plans for additional platform availability. The company operates as a one-product indie studio with no modular add-ons or separate platform tiers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VIVID VIVID is a narrative plant-based survival video game that invites players to explore the world through the eyes of plants. It is described as probably the world's first scientifically grounded plant-based survival game, letting players experience the challenges of germination, growth, and survival in a dynamic environment shaped by climate, competition, and time, rooted in real biology. It is targeted at individual gamers interested in narrative, ecologically themed games with social and environmental purpose.
Quantifiable outcome
- First award nomination - LeipzigFuturePrize 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Team Nava Games
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Team Nava Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Team Nava Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.
- Biodiversitätsbündnis SachsencoreBiodiversity alliance in Saxony. Team Nava Games is a founding member, emphasizing commitment to biodiversity and environmental issues. Founded as part of October 2025 milestones.
- Games & XR MDmajorRegional games industry association supporting game development in Saxony.
- R42 Games Accelerator AlumnimoderateAlumni network from R42 Games Accelerator 2024 program.
- SINN Sachsen-Impact Hub LeipzigmoderateImpact hub supporting sustainable business initiatives in Saxony.
- Insomnia DevelopmentmajorOrganizing Indie United Castle at gamescom 2026 where VIVID will be showcased in the Entertainment Area.
- IHK zu LeipzigmoderateChamber of Industry and Commerce in Leipzig supporting local businesses.
- Bundesverband Deutsche Startups e.V.moderateGerman startup association providing network and advocacy support.
- WZB Oli GmbHminorTool company supporting studio operations.
- Versicherungsmakler LeitzkeminorInsurance broker providing business support services.
- TierHelden.netminorAnimal welfare organization sharing values around animal welfare and coexistence.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Team Nava Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Might and Delight: Swedish indie studio behind the Shelter series (Shelter, Shelter 2), which pioneered survival gameplay from the perspective of animals (badgers, bears) with ecological storytelling. The most direct peer given VIVID's non-human-survival narrative positioning.
- Herobeat Studios: Independent studio behind Endling: Extinction is Forever, a survival narrative game played from a fox's perspective exploring environmental destruction. Closely aligned with VIVID's ecological storytelling and non-human-survival genre.
- Videocult: Indie developer of Rain World, a survival platformer set in a dynamic ecosystem where players inhabit a small creature navigating environmental challenges. Comparable non-human-perspective survival gameplay and biological systems emphasis.
- Free Lives: South African indie studio that developed Terra Nil, a strategy game centered on ecosystem restoration and biodiversity. Highly relevant given VIVID's scientific biodiversity theme and ecology-first game design.
- thatgamecompany: Developer of Journey and Sky: Children of the Light, narrative games widely recognized for emotional storytelling and meaningful social impact. Closely aligned purpose-driven, narrative-first indie ethos.
- ustwo games: Studio behind Monument Valley and Assemble with Care, narrative-driven indie games emphasizing emotional player experience and design craft. Comparable as a small narrative indie studio shipping premium content without microtransactions.
- E-Line Media: Developer of Beyond Blue and Never Alone, narrative games with scientific and ecological storytelling. Strongly comparable given VIVID's scientific grounding and ecological-awareness positioning.
- 11 bit studios: Polish studio behind This War of Mine and Frostpunk, survival games with explicit social and ethical commentary. Relevant as a survival-genre studio using gameplay to drive meaning and impact.
- Heart Machine: Indie developer of Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, narrative action games with distinctive artistic identity and exploration themes. Comparable as a small narrative-focused indie studio targeting PC/console.
- BlueTwelve Studio: Developer of Stray, an adventure game played from a cat's perspective in a decaying ecological cityscape. Highly relevant as a narrative game centered on non-human experience and environmental atmosphere.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Team Nava Games social profiles
Digital presenceTeam Nava Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Team Nava Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Team Nava Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Team Nava 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 Team Nava Games
What does Team Nava Games do?
Team Nava Games is a purpose-driven indie game studio developing VIVID, a narrative plant-based survival video game designed to be experienced from a more-than-human (plant) perspective. The game combines emotional storytelling, innovative game design, and scientific insights grounded in real plant biology to deliver a survival challenge of germination, growth, and competition in a climate-driven environment. VIVID is being built for release on Steam and mobile devices in Q1/2027, with no microtransactions or dark patterns in its pricing model.
Is Team Nava Games a public or private company?
Team Nava Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Team Nava Games founded?
Team Nava Games was founded in 2024. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Team Nava Games based?
Team Nava Games is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Team Nava Games make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Game Sales (Steam and Mobile) is the primary driver. The others are patreon Support, crowdfunding (StartNext) and donations (PayPal).
Who are Team Nava Games's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Might and Delight, Herobeat Studios, Videocult, Free Lives, thatgamecompany, ustwo games, E-Line Media, 11 bit studios, Heart Machine and BlueTwelve Studio.
Does Team Nava Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Team Nava Games.
What industry is Team Nava Games in?
Team Nava Games's product category is Indie Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 513210.