Okomotive
Okomotive AG is a Zurich-based Swiss indie game studio founded in 2017 that develops atmospheric video games with distinctive mechanics, publishing four titles globally through partners Mixtvision, Frontier Developments, and Panic Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Okomotive does
Okomotive AG is a privately held Swiss game development studio founded in 2017 in Zurich by Don Schmocker and Goran Saric, both alumni of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). The studio designs and develops atmospheric video games with distinctive gameplay mechanics, built primarily on the Unity engine. Its current portfolio comprises four titles: FAR: Lone Sails (2018, published by Mixtvision), FAR: Changing Tides (2022, published by Frontier Developments), Herdling (August 2025, published by Panic Inc.) — its first fully 3D title — and PinKeep (planned for 2026 Early Access), a pinball-deckbuilding roguelite that marks a deliberate genre expansion. Distinctive proprietary mechanics across the catalogue include wordless vehicle-based traversal, atmospheric and dynamic soundtrack systems, herding and stampede sequences, and the PinKeep pinball-deckbuilding hybrid.
The studio monetizes through one-time digital sales across Steam, Epic, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, and mobile stores, supplemented by revenue-share from inclusion in subscription services (Xbox Game Pass day-one for the last two titles, PlayStation Plus Game Catalog from October 2023) and licensing/royalty arrangements with its three publishers. The end-customer base is horizontal: indie game enthusiasts who value atmospheric, mechanically distinctive experiences over mainstream AAA titles, plus cross-platform gamers and subscription-service subscribers. The team currently stands at approximately 15 members across art, animation, game design, programming, tech art, sound design, and marketing.
Okomotive operates without disclosed external funding and is founder-owned. Its distribution model is entirely publisher-mediated, which has historically secured global platform reach (Steam, all major consoles, mobile) and earned-media coverage from major outlets such as The Guardian, Polygon, and PC Gamer. The studio has accumulated 30+ industry award nominations and wins since 2015 across Swiss, German, and international ceremonies, with FAR: Lone Sails remaining the award-pedigree anchor. The company is actively shipping and developing new titles; the website currently indicates it is 'not hiring,' consistent with its small-team operating model.
Okomotive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Okomotive
- Legal name
- Okomotive AG
- Website
- https://okomotive.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Okomotive AG is a Zurich-based Swiss indie game studio founded in 2017 that develops atmospheric video games with distinctive mechanics, publishing four titles globally through partners Mixtvision, Frontier Developments, and Panic Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Okomotive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
Keywords
Where Okomotive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Okomotive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Game Sales: Revenue generated from selling video games across multiple digital storefronts including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo Switch eShop, and mobile app stores
- Game Subscription Services: Revenue from inclusion in Xbox Game Pass (FAR: Changing Tides and Herdling available at launch) and PlayStation Plus Game Catalog
- Publishing Partnerships: Publishing deals with Mixtvision, Frontier Developments, and Panic Inc. provide funding and distribution support in exchange for publishing rights
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels10 records
Okomotive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Okomotive AG is a Swiss indie game studio that develops atmospheric, mechanically innovative video games. It designs, programs, and produces its own intellectual property (FAR: Lone Sails, FAR: Changing Tides, Herdling, and the upcoming PinKeep) using the Unity engine, then publishes them globally across PC, console, and mobile storefronts and on subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. The company also engages in asset production, animation, and consulting services as supplementary offerings.
Product overview
Okomotive AG is a Swiss game studio creating atmospheric video games with meaningful mechanics. The company operates as a single-studio developer with four distinct game titles forming its product portfolio: FAR: Lone Sails (a vehicle adventure across a dried-out ocean), FAR: Changing Tides (a companion vehicle adventure in a flooded world), Herdling (a 3D herding adventure guiding creatures through mountains), and PinKeep (a pinball deckbuilding roguelite). These games share thematic DNA around journeys, atmospheric exploration, and unique vehicle/mechanic-based gameplay, but are separate standalone products rather than a unified platform with modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FAR: Lone Sails A vehicle adventure game where players travel across a dried-out ocean in a unique vessel, maintaining and upgrading their craft to overcome obstacles and hazardous weather while following the tracks of a once thriving civilization. Targeted at PC, console, and mobile players.
- FAR: Changing Tides An atmospheric vehicle adventure game following a boy and his ship on a voyage to find a new home in a flooded world, where players sail stormy waters, dive unknown depths, and explore forgotten ruins. Targeted at cross-platform players and Game Pass subscribers.
- Herdling A 3D adventure game in which players guide a herd of curious creatures called Calicorns on a journey into the mountains and beyond, featuring herding mechanics, environmental puzzles, and stampede sequences. Targeted at cross-platform players.
- PinKeep A pinball deckbuilding roguelite for PC and consoles in which players use flippers to collect resources, draw and place buildings from their deck on the playing field, and create production chains and synergies to defend their keep against enemies. Targeted at PC and console players.
Quantifiable outcome
- FAR: Lone Sails received overwhelmingly positive reviews and won over 30 awards including Swiss Game Awards Main Prize 2019 and Deutscher Entwicklerpreis 2018 Best German Game
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Okomotive
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Okomotive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Okomotive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Panic Inc.coreUS-based publisher behind acclaimed titles like Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game. Partnered with Okomotive in December 2022 to publish Herdling, their largest and first fully featured 3D game.
- Frontier DevelopmentscoreUK-based publisher that signed a publishing agreement with Okomotive in late 2019 for FAR: Changing Tides. Frontier Developments is known for the RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise and other simulation games.
- Don SchmockercoreCo-founder of Okomotive AG alongside Goran Saric. Don Schmocker is the Art Director and creator of the FAR game concept, originally developed as his bachelor's thesis at Zurich University of the Arts.
- Goran SariccoreCo-founder of Okomotive AG alongside Don Schmocker. Goran Saric serves as Managing Director and contributed to game development from the early stages as a Game Design student at Zurich University of the Arts.
- Joel SchochcoreComposer providing music and sound design for Okomotive games including FAR: Lone Sails and FAR: Changing Tides. Joel Schoch is a repeating collaborator across multiple projects.
- Markus Abbassi & Tim GlausminorBusiness advisors providing guidance to Okomotive on business matters.
- Marie-Christine GerberminorPhotographer who created and edited portrait and team photos for Okomotive.
- MixtvisioncoreGerman-based publisher that partnered with Okomotive to publish FAR: Lone Sails. The partnership began when Don Schmocker was still enrolled in the Game Design master's program at ZHdK and decided to build upon the FAR prototype.
- Assemble EntertainmentminorPublisher for FAR games listed on the Okomotive website alongside other publishers Panic Inc. and Frontier Developments.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Okomotive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Polytron Corporation: Canadian indie studio behind Fez, known for innovative 2D/3D perspective-shifting mechanics in a small-team format. Comparable to Okomotive in indie scale, mechanic-driven innovation, and artistic positioning.
- Amanita Design: Czech indie studio (Machinarium, Creaks, Samorost) producing atmospheric, hand-crafted adventure games with distinctive art direction. Highly comparable to Okomotive's niche, artistically driven, low-dialogue gameplay ethos.
- thatgamecompany: US studio behind Journey, Flower, and Sky: Children of the Light — atmospheric, emotionally focused games with minimal dialogue. Closely aligned with Okomotive's atmospheric, mechanic-driven storytelling approach.
- Simogo: Swedish two-person indie studio behind Year Walk, Device 6, and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Comparable to Okomotive in small team size, atmospheric/cinematic aesthetic, and cross-platform indie publishing approach.
- Playdead: Danish indie studio behind Limbo and INSIDE, two of the most critically acclaimed atmospheric puzzle-platformers of the past decade. Closely comparable to Okomotive in studio size, focus on wordless/emotionally resonant storytelling, and indie aesthetic positioning.
- Thunder Lotus Games: Canadian indie studio behind Spiritfarer and Jotun, focused on emotionally resonant, mechanics-driven indie games. Directly comparable to Okomotive in narrative-adjacent indie gameplay and multi-platform release strategy.
- Heart Machine: US indie studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, developing atmospheric action-adventure titles with distinctive art direction. Comparable to Okomotive in indie size, atmospheric aesthetic, and console-first publishing strategy.
- ustwo games: UK studio behind Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2, known for atmospheric puzzle games with distinctive visual identity. Similar to Okomotive in delivering premium, critically acclaimed indie experiences with unique mechanic concepts.
- Cardboard Computer: US indie studio behind Kentucky Route Zero, an atmospheric adventure series. Comparable to Okomotive in wordless/emotionally driven narrative design and indie prestige positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Devolver Digital: Large indie publisher behind Hotline Miami, Fall Guys, Cult of the Lamb, and many other titles. Functions as a broader incumbent in the indie atmospheric/niche segment where Okomotive competes, serving as a potential publisher partner or acquirer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Okomotive social profiles
Digital presenceOkomotive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Okomotive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Okomotive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Okomotive 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 Okomotive
What does Okomotive do?
Okomotive AG is a Swiss indie game studio that develops atmospheric, mechanically innovative video games. It designs, programs, and produces its own intellectual property (FAR: Lone Sails, FAR: Changing Tides, Herdling, and the upcoming PinKeep) using the Unity engine, then publishes them globally across PC, console, and mobile storefronts and on subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. The company also engages in asset production, animation, and consulting services as supplementary offerings.
Is Okomotive a public or private company?
Okomotive is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Okomotive founded?
Okomotive was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Okomotive based?
Okomotive is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Okomotive make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are game Subscription Services and publishing Partnerships.
Who are Okomotive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Polytron Corporation, Amanita Design, thatgamecompany, Simogo, Playdead, Thunder Lotus Games, Heart Machine, ustwo games and Cardboard Computer. Devolver Digital is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Okomotive have an API?
No public API is recorded for Okomotive.
What industry is Okomotive in?
Okomotive's product category is Indie Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAC, Indie Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.