Savage Game Design
Savage Game Design is an independent UK game studio developing historically authentic military games and transmedia content based on MACV-SOG Vietnam War veteran experiences, led by CEO Rob Graham as part of Savage Game Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersExeter, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Savage Game Design does
Savage Game Design is an independent game studio operating as part of Savage Game Group, founded in England in 2017. The studio specializes in historically authentic military games and transmedia content centered on the experiences of MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) during the Vietnam War. Its core commercial product is Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire, a cooperative tactical shooter DLC released on Steam in May 2021, which has generated $6M in cumulative revenue and holds an 82% Very Positive Steam review rating. The studio is distinguished by its direct collaboration with living MACV-SOG veterans who contribute authentic mission accounts, equipment details, and narrative content.
The studio's technology stack combines Arma 3 (for its existing DLC product) and Unreal Engine 5 (for its next-generation standalone title, 'SOG: Out of Shadow'). It has built a proprietary content library of over $1M in accurate 3D models and hundreds of hours of documentary interview footage. The 150+ member development team includes founders from the Unsung Vietnam Arma mod, B01 Studios, and various Arma modding communities, supplemented by recently joined AAA professionals and named veteran collaborators. Through its subsidiary Savage Game Projects, the studio is extending its IP into graphic novels, documentaries, a TV show with NYT bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo, and virtual museum displays.
Savage Game Design monetizes primarily through one-time Steam DLC purchases and soundtrack sales, supplemented by Patreon subscriptions. It has a strategic partnership with Bohemia Interactive (Arma 3 publisher) for distribution within the Arma 3 platform. The studio donates a portion of proceeds to the Special Operations Association and is currently seeking investor capital from NATO-country sources to fund UE5 development and transmedia expansion. The company has stated it will not be sold and that the team shares in profits, indicating a founder/team-controlled ownership structure open to outside equity investment.
Savage Game Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Savage Game Design
- Legal name
- Savage Game Group
- Website
- https://savage-game.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Savage Game Design is an independent UK game studio developing historically authentic military games and transmedia content based on MACV-SOG Vietnam War veteran experiences, led by CEO Rob Graham as part of Savage Game Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Savage Game Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Military Tactical Shooter Games / DLC Game Development
- akta.pro primary industry
- UGC Game Creation Platforms (Roblox-like, Fortnite Creative, Core) (MPAFAIAA)
Keywords
Where Savage Game Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Exeter
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Savage Game Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game DLC Sales: Commercial DLC (downloadable content) sales through Steam for Arma 3 SOG Prairie Fire. Generated $6m in revenue to date.
- Soundtrack Sales: Sales of game soundtracks through Steam
- Investor Funding: Seeking investor partnerships for profit sharing. Finance required from NATO countries for US partnerships.
- Patreon Donations: Ongoing donations through Patreon supporting creative team and new asset creation
- Graphic Novels and Media Projects: Future revenue from graphic novels (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Across The Fence, SOG: Codename Dynamite), documentaries, TV shows, and museum displays
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire DLC available for purchase on Steam |
| Subscription | Monthly | Patreon support for ongoing creative work |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Savage Game Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Savage Game Design develops and sells historically authentic military tactical shooter games, anchored by Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire (a commercial DLC released in May 2021 that has earned $6m to date on Steam), the free SOG Nickel Steel mod expansion, and the upcoming Unreal Engine 5 standalone title SOG: Out of Shadow. The studio also produces transmedia Special Forces content including graphic novels, documentaries, a TV show, and a virtual museum diorama, all built on a $1m+ proprietary library of accurate 3D models and veteran interview material.
Product overview
Savage Game Design is an independent game studio that operates as part of Savage Game Group, a portfolio of companies focused on Special Forces-themed historical entertainment. The core commercial product is Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire, a DLC released in 2021 featuring cooperative tactical shooter gameplay based on MACV-SOG Vietnam War missions. The portfolio also includes a free mod expansion (SOG Nickel Steel), an upcoming standalone game in Unreal Engine 5 (SOG: Out of Shadow), and a transmedia division (Savage Game Projects) producing graphic novels, documentaries, a TV show, and a virtual museum—all centered on authentic MACV-SOG historical narratives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire Commercial downloadable content (DLC) for Bohemia Interactive's Arma 3 that delivers cooperative first-person tactical shooter gameplay exploring the stories of MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) operating behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia. Built for Arma 3 franchise enthusiasts and military simulation gamers seeking historically authentic content grounded in real veteran experiences.
- SOG Nickel Steel Free mod expansion released on Steam Workshop for Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire, adding new in-game assets including the AC119K gunship and water buffalo vehicles to extend the cooperative Vietnam War experience. Aimed at existing SOG Prairie Fire players and Arma 3 mod community.
- Arma 3 Creator DLC: SOG Prairie Fire Soundtrack Companion soundtrack sold on the Steam Store alongside the SOG Prairie Fire DLC, letting players and fans separately purchase the game's music.
- Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Graphic Novel Graphic novel product based on Special Forces memoirs, distributed through the SOG Prairie Fire online store. Aimed at consumers interested in historical fiction and Special Operations stories outside the PC game format.
- Across The Fence Graphic Novel Graphic novel product from the Savage Game Projects transmedia slate, built on Special Forces memoirs. Targets consumers interested in historical Special Operations fiction in graphic novel format.
- SOG: Codename Dynamite Graphic Novel Graphic novel product from the Savage Game Projects transmedia slate, built on Special Forces memoirs, aimed at consumers interested in COD-named SOG operations dramatized as graphic fiction.
- MACV-SOG Documentaries Documentary video content about MACV-SOG missions behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia, built from hundreds of hours of veteran interview footage and published on the Savage Game Design YouTube channel.
Quantifiable outcome
- $6m revenue generated since May 2021 launch
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Savage Game Design
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Savage Game Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Savage Game Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.
- Bohemia InteractivecoreBohemia Interactive is the publisher of Arma 3, for which Savage Game Design created the SOG Prairie Fire commercial DLC. The DLC was as well-received as other Bohemia Interactive DLCs, demonstrating successful integration with the Arma 3 platform.
- MACV-SOG Veterans (John Stryker Meyer, Ken Bowra)coreDeep collaboration with MACV-SOG veterans John Stryker Meyer and Ken Bowra who joined the team early on, providing authentic mission accounts, tactics, equipment details, and narrative for game content. Relationship expanded to include Dick Thompson, Lynne M Black Jr, and Larry Trimble.
- Ralph PezzullokeyNY Times bestselling Special Operations author Ralph Pezzullo collaborates as a writer on projects including the TV show and next game title 'SOG: Out of Shadow'. Brings professional storytelling expertise to veteran memoirs.
- Dick Thompson (MACV-SOG)keyMACV-SOG veteran Dick Thompson collaborates on writing team. Studio supports his ARSENAL tool which helps veterans prepare for stressful times and cope with new challenges.
- B01 StudiosminorFormer collaboration with B01 Studios (Arma 3 Jets DLC) as part of the 150-member team assembly. Contributed expertise to development team.
- 5th Special Forces Group Hall of HeroeskeyCollaboration on MACV-SOG display at the Hall of Heroes museum. Studio provides institutional knowledge and 3D assets to support living history exhibits.
- Special Operations AssociationminorDonations of some proceeds from studio work go to the Special Operations Association, supporting veterans and their families.
- Game Developers Conference (GDC)minorCEO Rob Graham attended GDC 2024 to represent MACV-SOG veterans and seek investors and Unreal engineers. Building partnerships for expansion.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Savage Game Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rebellion Developments: UK-based independent studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, historical-period tactical shooters. Comparable as a profitable, privately held UK studio with a similar indie-to-mid-tier trajectory in historical combat games.
- Wargaming: Publisher of World of Tanks, World of Warships, and Master of Orion. Comparable as an established free-to-play military-vehicle gaming incumbent with overlapping historical military audience.
- Codemasters: Originally developed Operation Flashpoint (the IP Bohemia built Arma from). Comparable given its historical lineage in hardcore military simulation alongside its broader racing catalog.
- Gaijin Entertainment: Developer and publisher of War Thunder, Enlisted, and other military-vehicle simulation titles. Comparable as a broader military-simulation incumbent with historically-themed content experiences.
- Creative Assembly: Developer of Total War and Alien: Isolation with deep historical-authenticity expertise. Comparable as a larger UK studio whose historical-setting IP travels across games and media extensions.
- 1C Entertainment: Publisher/developer behind IL-2 Sturmovik and Men of War series, with deep roots in historical military sims. Comparable as a longer-running historical military simulation specialist with publishing scale.
Direct peers
- Bohemia Interactive: Publisher and developer of the Arma franchise and the platform Savage's DLC is built on. Directly comparable as a tactical mil-sim specialist with a strong modding community ecosystem and shared product universe.
- Black Matter: Developer of Hell Let Loose, a 50v50 WWII tactical FPS with historical authenticity emphasis. Directly comparable as a mid-size studio competing in hardcore historical mil-sim.
- Offworld Industries: Developer of Squad and Post Scriptum, large-scale cooperative tactical mil-sim titles with community-led development roots. Closely comparable in genre, scale, and audience overlap with Savage's MACV-SOG product.
Emerging players
- Arrowhead Game Studios: Swedish indie studio behind Helldivers and Helldivers 2, with a small core team releasing breakout co-op action games. Comparable as an indie-to-mid-tier studio converting a tight community into a multi-platform hit without AAA budgets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Savage Game Design social profiles
Digital presenceSavage Game Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Savage Game Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Savage Game Design subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Savage Game Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Savage Game Design 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 Savage Game Design
What does Savage Game Design do?
Savage Game Design develops and sells historically authentic military tactical shooter games, anchored by Arma 3: SOG Prairie Fire (a commercial DLC released in May 2021 that has earned $6m to date on Steam), the free SOG Nickel Steel mod expansion, and the upcoming Unreal Engine 5 standalone title SOG: Out of Shadow. The studio also produces transmedia Special Forces content including graphic novels, documentaries, a TV show, and a virtual museum diorama, all built on a $1m+ proprietary library of accurate 3D models and veteran interview material.
Is Savage Game Design a public or private company?
Savage Game Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Savage Game Design founded?
Savage Game Design was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Savage Game Design based?
Savage Game Design is headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Savage Game Design make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Game DLC Sales are the primary driver. The others are soundtrack Sales, investor Funding, patreon Donations and graphic Novels and Media Projects.
Who are Savage Game Design's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rebellion Developments, Wargaming, Codemasters, Gaijin Entertainment, Creative Assembly and 1C Entertainment. Direct peers are Bohemia Interactive, Black Matter and Offworld Industries. Arrowhead Game Studios is listed as an emerging player.
Does Savage Game Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Savage Game Design.
What industry is Savage Game Design in?
Savage Game Design's product category is Military Tactical Shooter Games / DLC Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAIAA, UGC Game Creation Platforms (Roblox-like, Fortnite Creative, Core).