Oddworld
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersSan Luis Obispo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Oddworld does
Oddworld Inhabitants, Inc. is a privately held, founder-controlled video game developer and self-publisher established in 1994 by Lorne Lanning and Sherry McKenna, headquartered in Emeryville, California. The company builds and sells a portfolio of narrative-driven puzzle-platformer and action-adventure games built around the Oddworld universe, anchored by the character Abe and a planned five-part quintology. Core products span original releases (Abe's Oddysee 1997, Abe's Exoddus 1998, Munch's Oddysee 2001, Stranger's Wrath 2005), a ground-up remake (New 'n' Tasty 2014), and the self-financed Soulstorm sequel (2021), supported by HD remasters, mobile ports, and DLC such as Alf's Escape. The studio uses a proprietary 2.9D development approach combining 2D side-scrolling gameplay with 3D environments, alongside signature gameplay systems including the Quarma morality scoring, Scavenger's Economy crafting, and Follower positioning mechanics.
The company's business model is one-time perpetual license sales of game titles with no subscription or free-to-play component, priced at $19.99-$49.99 depending on platform and SKU. Distribution is product-led and digitally first, spanning PlayStation Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, Nintendo eShop, Discord Nitro, and iOS/Android app stores, with physical editions through Limited Run Games and retail partners Sony and Microids. Operating geography covers North America and Europe through internal teams in California and the United Kingdom plus co-development partners such as Just Add Water. Oddworld's customer base is horizontal and consumer-only, targeting gamers seeking story-driven, morally themed platformers distinct from mainstream AAA output. The studio has historically operated without external funding, preserving creative control but constraining release cadence, and the founding team remains central to both IP stewardship and strategic direction.
Over its history the franchise has moved more than 30 million units and received over 100 industry awards, including recognition from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Visual Effects Society, and numerous publications, while merchandising and physical collector's editions have been added as secondary revenue streams. The studio closed in 2005 after four titles, relaunched in 2009 around a remaster/remake strategy, and returned to major original-IP release with Soulstorm in 2021. A new project is reportedly in stealth development.
Oddworld firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oddworld
- Legal name
- Oddworld Inhabitants, Inc.
- Website
- https://oddworld.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oddworld industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
Keywords
Where Oddworld is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Luis Obispo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Oddworld business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Video Game Sales: Oddworld generates revenue through one-time purchase sales of video game titles across multiple platforms. Games are sold as digital downloads through storefronts (PlayStation Store, Epic Games Store, Steam, Nintendo eShop) and physical copies through retail partnerships. No subscription or free-to-play model is used.
- Merchandise Sales: The company sells official merchandise including t-shirts, posters, and candles through partnerships with retailers like Gametee.
- DLC and Add-ons: Additional content such as the Alf's Escape DLC mission for New 'n' Tasty is sold as separate purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Oddworld: Soulstorm Standard Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Munch's Oddysee Nintendo Switch |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Various Titles on Sale |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels9 records
Oddworld product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oddworld Inhabitants is an independent video game developer and publisher that creates and self-publishes the Oddworld puzzle-platformer and action-adventure game franchise. The studio develops original titles, ground-up remakes, HD remasters, and mobile ports across console, PC, and mobile platforms, selling directly to consumers through digital storefronts and physical retail partnerships.
Product overview
Oddworld Inhabitants is an independent video game developer and publisher offering a portfolio of puzzle-platformer and action-adventure games centered on the Oddworld universe. The company's core product line includes the Oddworld series featuring games like Abe's Oddysee (1997), Abe's Exoddus (1998), Munch's Oddysee (2001), Stranger's Wrath (2005), New 'n' Tasty (2014), and Soulstorm (2021). New 'n' Tasty serves as a ground-up remake of Abe's Oddysee, while Soulstorm is the self-financed sequel continuing Abe's story. The portfolio also includes HD remasters (Munch's Oddysee HD, Stranger's Wrath HD), mobile ports (Stranger's Wrath Mobile, Munch's Oddysee Mobile), and DLC content (Alf's Escape). Games are distributed digitally through Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, and Discord Nitro, as well as through physical retail partnerships with Limited Run Games. The company has developed over 30 million units sold and earned over 100 industry awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Oddworld: Soulstorm 2021 action-adventure platformer sequel in the Oddworld series for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. Self-published title continuing Abe's story with 2.9D platforming, a Scavenger's Economy crafting system, and Quarma moral scoring with branching outcomes. Targets players who enjoy narrative-driven, choice-driven platformers.
- Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty 2014 ground-up remake of Abe's Oddysee with enhanced visuals and audio, deeper puzzle-platformer mechanics, and free-form puzzle solving. Released on PlayStation 4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile platforms.
- Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee 1997 puzzle-platformer for PlayStation and Windows, the first game in the Oddworld series, where players guide Abe through RuptureFarms to save his fellow Mudokons.
- Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus 1998 puzzle-platformer sequel to Abe's Oddysee for PlayStation and Windows, continuing Abe's story.
- Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee 2001 Xbox puzzle-platformer in which players switch between Abe and Munch to solve puzzles and rescue their respective species.
- Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath 2005 Xbox hybrid first/third-person Western action-adventure title featuring organic 'Live Ammo' combat using captured critters instead of traditional weapons.
- Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD HD remaster of Munch's Oddysee for PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PC with updated textures, higher polygon models, 60 FPS support, and Steam Trading Cards.
- Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD HD remaster of Stranger's Wrath for PlayStation 3, PS Vita, PC, and Nintendo Switch with visual and aural improvements.
- Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Mobile Mobile port of Stranger's Wrath for iOS and Android devices, released in 2014.
- Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee Mobile Mobile port of Munch's Oddysee for iOS and Android devices, released in 2015.
- Oddworld Merchandise Official Oddworld-branded merchandise including t-shirts, posters, and candles, produced through a partnership with Gametee and shipped worldwide.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% Metacritic score for New 'n' Tasty (PC)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Oddworld
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Oddworld technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Oddworld partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Epic GamescoreEpic Games is a publishing partner for Oddworld: Soulstorm on the Epic Games Store. They helped distribute Soulstorm as a self-published title, making it available alongside PlayStation platforms at launch for $49.99.
- Sony Interactive EntertainmentcoreSony is a publishing and distribution partner for Oddworld: Soulstorm on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Physical retail versions are distributed through Sony's retail channels. PS5 PS+ members received Soulstorm free during April 2021 launch month. A free upgrade path from PS4 to PS5 digital versions is offered.
- MicroidsminorMicroids is a publishing partner for Oddworld: Soulstorm physical retail distribution, working alongside Sony to bring physical copies to market.
- DiscordminorDiscord partnered with Oddworld to make New 'n' Tasty available on Discord Nitro, their games store and streaming service. Nitro subscribers could download and play the game at no extra cost as part of the service rollout.
- Just Add WatercoreJust Add Water is a UK-based game development studio that co-developed Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty with Oddworld Inhabitants. They handled the ground-up remake of Abe's Oddysee and later developed Stranger's Wrath HD. Their work on New 'n' Tasty sparked new ideas that led to Alf's Escape, the first wholly original piece of Oddworld level design in nearly ten years.
- Limited Run GamescoreLimited Run Games produces limited edition physical versions of Oddworld games on disk and cart. They produced extremely limited run physical editions of New 'n' Tasty on PlayStation 4 Blu-ray and PS Vita cart, and Stranger's Wrath HD for PS Vita with collector's items including reversible art, fold-out maps, and themed poker cards.
- GameteeminorGametee is a UK-based merchandise retailer that produces official Oddworld merchandise including t-shirts, posters, and candles. They ship worldwide and offer designs such as RuptureFarms, Sneak, and Soulstorm merchandise.
- Planet ClassroomminorOddworld proudly supports Planet Classroom, an educational platform for students. Oddworld has been featured in Moral Kombat documentary and engages in public speaking for the Federation of American Scientists and their Digital Frontier efforts.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Oddworld competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Playdead: Danish independent game studio behind Limbo and Inside — narrative-driven 2D/2.5D puzzle-platformers. Closest direct peer to Oddworld given similar scope, story-led platformer genre, premium single-purchase monetization, and small-team indie model.
- Supergiant Games: Independent developer of Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades and Hades II — small, self-publishing studio focused on narrative-driven, critically acclaimed premium games. Highly comparable in mission, scale, and self-publishing indie model to Oddworld Inhabitants.
- thatgamecompany: Independent developer behind Journey, Flower, and Sky: Children of the Light — small studio producing emotionally driven, narratively distinctive premium titles. Comparable to Oddworld in indie scale and thematic/story-led differentiation versus mainstream AAA gaming.
- Moon Studios: Independent developer of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps — premium 2D platformers with strong narrative and critical reception. Comparable to Oddworld as a small indie studio producing critically acclaimed story-led platformers across console and PC storefronts.
- Team Cherry: Small independent developer of Hollow Knight and Silksong — a tight indie team producing critically acclaimed 2D action-platformers. Comparable to Oddworld in operating with very small headcount, self-publishing, and leveraging dedicated fan community for marketing impact.
- Double Fine Productions: Independent studio behind Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, and Broken Age — narrative-led adventure games with strong artistic identity. Comparable to Oddworld as a long-tenured indie studio with cult-classic IP and story-driven gameplay, now operating under Xbox Game Studios.
- Klei Entertainment: Independent developer of Don't Starve, Mark of the Ninja, and Invisible Inc — small studio producing distinctive premium titles across genres with strong brand identity. Comparable to Oddworld as a privately held indie developer with award-recognized catalog spanning decades.
Broad incumbents
- Devolver Digital: Publicly listed indie-focused publisher of Hotline Miami, Fall Guys, Cult of the Lamb, and many narrative/puzzle titles. Comparable to Oddworld in business-model adjacency (indie publishing/development) but operates as a broad portfolio publisher rather than single-IP developer.
- Annapurna Interactive: Publisher of indie narrative and artistic games (What Remains of Edith Finch, Stray, Outer Wilds). Comparable as a high-prestige indie publisher/developer mix in the narrative-game space, though broader portfolio than Oddworld's single-IP focus.
Regional players
- WayForward Technologies: Long-running independent developer known for Shantae and other 2D platformers — comparable as a self-publishing veteran indie studio with strong platforming pedigree and decade-spanning catalog, though broader in output volume than Oddworld's single-franchise model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oddworld social profiles
Digital presenceOddworld financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oddworld leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Oddworld funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oddworld 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 Oddworld
What does Oddworld do?
Oddworld Inhabitants is an independent video game developer and publisher that creates and self-publishes the Oddworld puzzle-platformer and action-adventure game franchise. The studio develops original titles, ground-up remakes, HD remasters, and mobile ports across console, PC, and mobile platforms, selling directly to consumers through digital storefronts and physical retail partnerships.
Is Oddworld a public or private company?
Oddworld is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Oddworld founded?
Oddworld was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oddworld based?
Oddworld is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oddworld make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Video Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and DLC and Add-ons.
Who are Oddworld's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Playdead, Supergiant Games, thatgamecompany, Moon Studios, Team Cherry, Double Fine Productions and Klei Entertainment. Broad incumbents are Devolver Digital and Annapurna Interactive. WayForward Technologies is listed as a regional player.
Does Oddworld have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oddworld.
What industry is Oddworld in?
Oddworld's product category is Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAC, Indie Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7990.