KING Art
KING Art is an independent German game developer in Bremen that builds narrative-driven real-time strategy and action titles for PC and consoles, including Iron Harvest and the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV. The studio serves strategy gamers globally via publisher partnerships with Deep Silver and digital storefronts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersBremen, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What KING Art does
KING Art GmbH is an independent German video game developer headquartered in Bremen, founded in 2000 with approximately 110 employees and a 25-year track record of around 50 completed game projects. The studio specializes in narrative-driven real-time strategy (RTS) and action titles, with current flagship intellectual property Iron Harvest 1920+ (a dieselpunk RTS released in 2020) and the in-development Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV (announced August 2025 for a 2026 release), alongside two federally funded projects codenamed Tischplatte (classic RTS) and Schießeisen (cooperative action-shooter).
The company's underlying technology is centered on its RTS engine supporting large-scale battles, destructible environments, dynamic cover, and multi-faction tactical gameplay. KING Art is a licensed developer for Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and Google platforms, enabling simultaneous PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store) and console (PlayStation, Xbox) releases. Core technical differentiators include a proprietary dieselpunk mech combat system, near-fully destructible environments with shifting line-of-sight mechanics, and unit-customization systems.
Commercially, KING Art operates a one-time purchase / perpetual license model for full games and DLC, with pricing tiers such as €19.99 for major expansions (e.g., Operation Eagle) and Standard/Commander Edition preorders for Dawn of War IV. Distribution relies on publisher partnerships (Deep Silver as core publisher for Dawn of War IV and Iron Harvest; Prime Matter for earlier console releases), direct-to-consumer via the kingart-games.com online store, and global digital storefronts. The customer base consists primarily of PC and console strategy gamers, with secondary segments of Warhammer 40,000 fans and console RTS players; revenue is end-consumer-driven rather than enterprise SaaS, and the company has supplemented development with €4.8 million in German federal games funding (March 2024).
KING Art firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KING Art
- Legal name
- KING Art GmbH
- Website
- https://kingart-games.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- KING Art is an independent German game developer in Bremen that builds narrative-driven real-time strategy and action titles for PC and consoles, including Iron Harvest and the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV. The studio serves strategy gamers globally via publisher partnerships with Deep Silver and digital storefronts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KING Art industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development (Real-Time Strategy and Action-RPG)
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
Keywords
Where KING Art is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bremen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
KING Art business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales: One-time purchase model for full game releases across PC and console platforms via digital distribution and retail
- DLC and Expansions: Major DLC releases like Operation Eagle for Iron Harvest sold at €19.99. Year One content for Dawn of War IV includes paid campaign expansions.
- Online Store Digital Content: Digital content delivery through kingart-games.com online store for games, downloadable content, and keys
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Iron Harvest Operation Eagle DLC |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dawn of War IV Editions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
KING Art product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KING Art is an independent video game developer that designs, develops, and publishes narrative-driven real-time strategy (RTS) and action-RPG titles for PC, console, and mobile platforms. Its core catalog centers on the Iron Harvest dieselpunk RTS franchise and licensed Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, sold as one-time purchases plus paid DLC through digital storefronts and publisher partners.
Product overview
KING Art Games is an independent German game developer offering a portfolio of video games spanning real-time strategy, action-RPG, and narrative-driven adventure genres. The core product lineup includes Iron Harvest 1920+, a dieselpunk RTS featuring giant mechs with multiple factions and expansion content (Operation Eagle); The Dwarves, a fantasy action-RPG based on Markus Heitz's novels; and the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV developed in partnership with Deep Silver and Games Workshop. The company is also developing two federally-funded projects codenamed Tischplatte (classic RTS) and Schießeisen (co-op action shooter). KING Art operates as a licensed developer for Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and Google platforms, distributing games through Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and console digital stores.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Iron Harvest 1920+ Real-time strategy game set in an alternate 1920s dieselpunk world following a Great War, featuring giant mechs, three competing factions (Polania, Saxony, Rusviet), 20+ singleplayer campaign missions, cooperative campaigns, competitive multiplayer, skirmish modes, and a World Map Campaign mode with over 40 missions. Targeted at PC and console strategy gamers.
- Iron Harvest - Operation Eagle Major paid expansion DLC for Iron Harvest introducing the Usonia faction with over 20 new units, 7 new singleplayer and co-op campaign missions, 3 new heroes, flying units for all factions, anti-air defenses, and new multiplayer maps, available standalone on Steam.
- The Dwarves Fantasy action-RPG based on Markus Heitz's bestselling novel series, featuring 15 playable heroes with individual skills, tactically challenging real-time battles with pause-anytime tactical planning, and exploration across the world of Girdlegard ranging from snow-covered summits to deserts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Iron Harvest won three awards at the German Game Developer Awards including Game of the Year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use KING Art
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KING Art technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature3 records
KING Art partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Deep SilvercoreDeep Silver is the publisher for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 and previously published Iron Harvest. They handle distribution, marketing, and retail partnerships for KING Art's major releases.
- Games WorkshopcoreGames Workshop licenses the Warhammer 40,000 IP to KING Art for development of Dawn of War IV, one of the most significant IPs in the strategy gaming space.
- Prime MatterminorPublisher partner for console releases of Iron Harvest, providing marketing support and game key distribution for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions.
- Markus HeitzminorAuthor of bestselling novel The Dwarves; KING Art developed a fantasy RPG based on his book series, featuring tactical real-time battles with 15 playable heroes.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KING Art competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wargaming: Wargaming operates World of Tanks, World of Warships, and other free-to-play strategy/combat games with strong historical and military themes. Comparable to KING Art in strategic combat focus and global distribution, though business model differs (F2P vs premium).
- Creative Assembly: Creative Assembly develops the Total War series, the dominant franchise in PC strategy gaming with deep campaign and tactical gameplay. Like KING Art, it is a multi-hundred-person strategy specialist with strong publisher backing (Sega).
- Blackbird Interactive: Blackbird Interactive developed Homeworld 3 and Deserts of Kharak, making it an independent mid-sized PC RTS studio comparable to KING Art. Both studios focus on premium strategy titles with strong art direction and crowdfunding history.
- Firaxis Games: Firaxis Games develops Civilization and XCOM — leading turn-based and tactical strategy franchises on PC. Comparable to KING Art as a strategy specialist studio with multi-decade tenure, large installed bases, and publisher backing (2K/Take-Two).
- Amplitude Studios: Amplitude Studios developed Humankind and the Endless series — narrative-driven 4X and strategy games on PC. As an independent strategy-focused studio owned by Sega, it is a direct comparable to KING Art in scope, audience, and genre.
- Petroglyph Games: Petroglyph Games is an independent RTS studio founded by ex-Westwood developers (Star Wars: Empire at War, Grey Goo, Conan Unconquered). It is a direct competitor in the narrative-driven PC RTS space and shares KING Art's lean studio structure.
- Relic Entertainment: Relic Entertainment developed the original Dawn of War trilogy and is the most direct predecessor for KING Art's Dawn of War IV work, also making Company of Heroes. Both studios focus on PC/console real-time strategy games with deep singleplayer campaigns and competitive multiplayer.
- Frontier Developments: Frontier Developments develops Elite Dangerous, Planet Zoo, and Planet Coaster — premium PC/console strategy and management games with deep simulation. As an independent UK-based studio at similar scale, it is a structural comparable to KING Art.
Broad incumbents
- Blizzard Entertainment: Blizzard created StarCraft and Warcraft III — foundational RTS franchises that defined the genre. While a much larger publisher-developer, Blizzard's RTS heritage directly contextualizes KING Art's positioning in the strategy space.
- Paradox Development Studio: Paradox Development Studio develops grand strategy franchises (Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Cities: Skylines) under parent Paradox Interactive. It is a broader incumbent in PC strategy with a similar European base and deep community-led development model.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KING Art social profiles
Digital presenceKING Art financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KING Art leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KING Art funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KING Art 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 KING Art
What does KING Art do?
KING Art is an independent video game developer that designs, develops, and publishes narrative-driven real-time strategy (RTS) and action-RPG titles for PC, console, and mobile platforms. Its core catalog centers on the Iron Harvest dieselpunk RTS franchise and licensed Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, sold as one-time purchases plus paid DLC through digital storefronts and publisher partners.
Is KING Art a public or private company?
KING Art is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KING Art founded?
KING Art was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is KING Art based?
KING Art is headquartered in Bremen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does KING Art make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are DLC and Expansions and online Store Digital Content.
Who are KING Art's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wargaming, Creative Assembly, Blackbird Interactive, Firaxis Games, Amplitude Studios, Petroglyph Games, Relic Entertainment and Frontier Developments. Broad incumbents are Blizzard Entertainment and Paradox Development Studio.
Does KING Art have an API?
No public API is recorded for KING Art.
What industry is KING Art in?
KING Art's product category is Video Game Development (Real-Time Strategy and Action-RPG). Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console). Its NAICS code is 459120 and its SIC code is 2731.