Crimson Herring Studios
Crimson Herring Studios is an indie game developer building narrative-driven, steampunk-themed isometric cRPGs for PC and console, led by senior talent from Hinterland Studios and Electronic Arts. The studio self-publishes its flagship title Sovereign Syndicate directly to consumers via Steam and GOG.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersEdmonton, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Crimson Herring Studios does
Crimson Herring Studios is an independent video game development studio founded in April 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada by Isaac Otway. The studio focuses on narrative-driven single-player games built around mystery and intrigue themes, with a distributed team of more than 20 developers across North America and Europe. Its flagship and sole commercial product, Sovereign Syndicate, is an isometric computer role-playing game (cRPG) set in Victorian steampunk London, featuring three playable characters (Atticus Daley, Clara Reed, and Otto) whose branching narratives intersect through the city's docklands. The game is built in the Unity engine with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and is differentiated by proprietary mechanics: a tarot card chance system that replaces traditional dice-based skill checks, a Hope/Despair temperament meter that gates dialogue options, and a Major Arcana trait system that unlocks character specializations. Skills level through use rather than random stat allocation, and player choices meaningfully shape dialogue, combat, and story outcomes.
Crimson Herring Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Crimson Herring Studios
- Legal name
- Crimson Herring Studios Inc.
- Website
- https://crimsonherring.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Crimson Herring Studios is an indie game developer building narrative-driven, steampunk-themed isometric cRPGs for PC and console, led by senior talent from Hinterland Studios and Electronic Arts. The studio self-publishes its flagship title Sovereign Syndicate directly to consumers via Steam and GOG.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Crimson Herring Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Computer Role-Playing Games (cRPG)
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
Keywords
Where Crimson Herring Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edmonton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Crimson Herring Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales (Sovereign Syndicate): One-time purchase of the game Sovereign Syndicate at $19.99 USD with standard Steam regional discounts and a 10% launch discount. The game was released on January 15, 2024 as a 1.0 release. Future revenue may come from additional language localizations and console ports funded by initial sales.
- Game Bundles: Limited-time bundles with partner games (The Thaumaturge, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition, Gamedec) that provide an extra 10% off, creating cross-promotion opportunities and additional revenue streams.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Edition - $19.99 USD |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Crimson Herring Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Crimson Herring Studios is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes narrative-driven role-playing games. Its flagship product is Sovereign Syndicate, a Victorian steampunk isometric cRPG featuring three playable characters with branching intertwining stories, a tarot-card-based chance system in place of dice, and a skill-and-etiquette progression system. The game is sold as a one-time purchase on PC storefronts.
Product overview
Crimson Herring Studios is an indie game development studio that has produced a single flagship product: Sovereign Syndicate. Sovereign Syndicate is a Victorian steampunk cRPG featuring three playable characters with branching storylines that unfold based on player choices. The game utilizes a unique tarot card chance system in place of traditional dice mechanics, a skill and etiquette system for character progression, and emphasizes narrative-driven gameplay with dialogue choices and multiple endings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sovereign Syndicate: The studio's flagship video game product - a Victorian steampunk cRPG featuring three playable characters with branching stories set in London docklands, using a tarot card chance system instead of traditional dice mechanics.
Products and services
- Sovereign Syndicate Sovereign Syndicate is a Victorian steampunk isometric computer role-playing game featuring three playable characters (Atticus Daley the minotaur magician, Clara Reed the corsair, and Otto the automaton) with branching intertwining stories set in the London docklands. It uses a unique tarot-card chance system instead of traditional dice mechanics, a Skill and Etiquette progression system, and a Hope and Despair (Temperament) system that gates dialogue options, providing 8-12 hours of play with multiple endings and replayability.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ wishlists achieved before launch demonstrating strong market demand
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Crimson Herring Studios
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Crimson Herring Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Crimson Herring Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- 11 bit studiosminorPartner for game bundle featuring The Thaumaturge alongside Sovereign Syndicate during Steam Summer Sale. Cross-promotional bundle provides additional 10% discount.
- Owlcat GamesminorPartner for 'Wrath of the Syndicate Bundle' featuring Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition alongside Sovereign Syndicate during Steam Summer Sale. Cross-promotional bundle provides additional 10% discount.
- Anshar PublishingminorPartner for Gamedec x Sovereign Syndicate bundle during Steam Summer Sale, cross-promoting cyberpunk isometric RPG with steampunk cRPG.
- Evolve PRminorEvolve PR is handling press key distribution through their Terminals.io platform for gaming media review keys.
- Suzanne WallaceminorPR professional who worked with the studio on trailer creation and promotional materials.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Crimson Herring Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Owlcat Games: Owlcat Games is an indie cRPG studio best known for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition. They are a direct peer — same isometric narrative cRPG category, similar indie scale, and were an explicit cross-promotional bundle partner with Crimson Herring Studios during Steam Summer Sale.
- ZA/UM: ZA/UM developed Disco Elysium, the acclaimed narrative-driven isometric RPG. Crimson Herring explicitly cites Disco Elysium as direct inspiration. ZA/UM is a direct peer in the narrative cRPG category with comparable isometric presentation and choice-driven mechanics.
- Anshar Studios: Anshar Studios developed Gamedec, an isometric narrative RPG set in a cyberpunk setting. They are a direct peer — comparable indie narrative RPG product, similar isometric mechanics, and were a cross-promotional bundle partner with Crimson Syndicate during Steam Summer Sale.
- InXile Entertainment: InXile Entertainment developed Wasteland series, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and The Bard's Tale IV — isometric narrative cRPGs explicitly in the lineage Crimson Herring cites (Arcanum, Baldur's Gate). They are a direct peer in the isom cRPG category.
- Harebrained Schemes: Harebrained Schemes developed the Shadowrun Returns series of isometric narrative cRPGs, explicitly cited by Crimson Herring as core inspiration. They are a direct peer in the isom narrative cRPG category with comparable mechanics and target audience.
Broad incumbents
- Obsidian Entertainment: Obsidian Entertainment developed Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny, and The Outer Worlds — premium isometric narrative cRPGs cited as inspiration by Crimson Herring. They are a broader incumbent in the isom cRPG category with significantly larger scale and established publisher backing.
- Larian Studios: Larian Studios developed Baldur's Gate 3, the dominant AAA isom narrative cRPG. Crimson Herring explicitly cites Baldur's Gate as inspiration. Larian is a broad incumbent — comparable mechanics and audience, but at vastly larger scale with major publisher backing.
- 11 bit studios: 11 bit studios is the developer of The Thaumaturge, an isometric narrative RPG, alongside broader portfolio titles like Frostpunk and This War of Mine. They are a comparable peer for Sovereign Syndicate's isom narrative cRPG mechanics and were an explicit bundle partner.
Emerging players
- Hinterland Studios: Hinterland Studios developed The Long Dark, a critically and commercially successful indie title with 1M+ units sold. Crimson Herring's Technical Director Andre Da Rosa previously worked on The Long Dark. Hinterland is a comparable indie studio with similar scale and shipping success.
- Flying Helmet Games: Flying Helmet Games developed and released Eon Altar, an indie game. Crimson Herring's Creative Director Scott Penner previously founded and led Flying Helmet Games. Direct organizational connection and similar indie-scale narrative game development profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Crimson Herring Studios social profiles
Digital presenceCrimson Herring Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Crimson Herring Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Crimson Herring Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Crimson Herring Studios 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 Crimson Herring Studios
What does Crimson Herring Studios do?
Crimson Herring Studios is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes narrative-driven role-playing games. Its flagship product is Sovereign Syndicate, a Victorian steampunk isometric cRPG featuring three playable characters with branching intertwining stories, a tarot-card-based chance system in place of dice, and a skill-and-etiquette progression system. The game is sold as a one-time purchase on PC storefronts.
Is Crimson Herring Studios a public or private company?
Crimson Herring Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Crimson Herring Studios founded?
Crimson Herring Studios was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Crimson Herring Studios based?
Crimson Herring Studios is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Crimson Herring Studios make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales (Sovereign Syndicate) is the primary driver. The others are game Bundles.
Who are Crimson Herring Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Owlcat Games, ZA/UM, Anshar Studios, InXile Entertainment and Harebrained Schemes. Broad incumbents are Obsidian Entertainment, Larian Studios and 11 bit studios. Emerging players are Hinterland Studios and Flying Helmet Games.
Does Crimson Herring Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Crimson Herring Studios.
What industry is Crimson Herring Studios in?
Crimson Herring Studios's product category is Indie Computer Role-Playing Games (cRPG). Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console). Its NAICS code is 51321.