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tinyBuild Games How It Became an Indie Powerhouse

tinyBuild Games: How It Became an Indie Powerhouse

Behind every great video game is not just a developer, but often a publisher who helps turn creative visions into something the wider world can enjoy.

That’s the space we cover at Gamespublisher.com, where we look at how companies shape the gaming future.

One publisher that stands out is tinyBuild Games. What began as a scrappy indie project has since grown into a name recognized across the globe.

For game developers, tinyBuild’s story is more than just a success tale; it’s a playbook.

It shows how a small team with an unusual idea can capture attention, build strong partnerships, and eventually scale into a publisher that supports dozens of studios.

In this article, we’ll explore tinyBuild’s journey from a small indie studio to a globally recognized game publisher, highlighting the lessons it offers for developers, studios seeking partnerships, and enthusiasts studying the gaming industry.

tinyBuild Games Origins and Early Milestones

The history of tinyBuild is full of the kind of unpredictability you’d expect from the indie scene.

Its beginnings were modest, but the early choices set the tone for a publishing house that has always leaned into risk-taking and originality.

How tinyBuild Games Got Started

It all began with No Time to Explain, a bizarre, over-the-top Flash game that was equal parts chaotic and hilarious. The game caught the internet’s eye, and the creators decided to push further by launching a Kickstarter campaign.

The gamble paid off, as the crowdfunding effort hit its target, proving there was an audience hungry for games that didn’t fit the mainstream mold.

No Time To Explain crowdfunding on Kickstarter.com

That success nudged tinyBuild to think bigger. Instead of staying a single-game studio, they pivoted into publishing.

Their early catalog reflected the same oddball energy as their debut: offbeat concepts, experimental mechanics, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor.

Founders’ Vision and Growth Strategy

At the center of this shift was Alex Nichiporchik, whose philosophy shaped the company’s trajectory.

He believed that indie developers needed freedom to experiment, paired with the kind of support that only a publisher could provide: marketing, funding, platform access, and community building.

Rather than chasing quick sales, Nichiporchik pushed for something more sustainable: building long-term intellectual properties.

This philosophy helped turn small, quirky projects into franchises with staying power, while also cementing tinyBuild’s role as a champion of creative independence in the industry.

tinyBuild Games Genres Overview – Titles by Game Type

Below is the list of all tinyBuild video games sorted by all the video game genres.

Action

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
ClustertruckLandfall2016PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox ONE, PS4, Nintendo SwitchChaotic physics-based truckformer
Mr. ShiftyTeam Shifty2017PC, Switch, Xbox, PS4Fast-paced action/stealth
Guts and GloryHakJak2018PC, Mac, Linux, Switch, Xbox One, PS4Riding bicycle through obstacle courses of death with fun experiences
WakingJason Oda2020PC, Xbox OneThird-person action adventure
HellpointCradle Games2020PC, Switch, Xbox One, PS4, Mac, LinuxIntense action taking place on Irid Novo
Trash SailorsfluckyMachine2021PCHand-drawn co-op piracy action
JUSTICE SUCKSSamurai Punk2022PCStealth/action with robot vacuum
VOINNikita Sozidar2024PCFirst-person hack-and-slash
Slime 3K: Rise Against DespotKonfa Games2024PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationAn unhinged roguelite bullet-heaven
FEROCIOUStinyBuildTBAPCFight, explore, survive

Adventure

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
The Final StationDo My Best Games2016PC, ConsolePost-apocalyptic train survival
Diaries of a Spaceport JanitorSundae Month2016PC, MacPicking up trash in an alien bazaar
Phantom TriggerBread Team, Victor Solodilov, Denis Novikov2017PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4Journey through surreal and twisted worlds
Mayhem in Single ValleyFluxscopic Ltd.2021PCAction-adventure with twists and radioactive squirrels
TinykinSplashteam2022PC, Switch, PS4/5, Xbox3D platformer with Pikmin-style mechanics
Broken RoadsDrop Bear Bytes2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, SwitchStory-rich RPG with morality system
Lil’ GuardsmanHilltop Studios2024PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationWonderful combination of deduction, narrative and puzzle games
Level Zero: ExtractionDoghowl Games2025PCTactical extraction shooter meets survival horror

Puzzle

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Snail Bob 2tinyBuild2015PC, Mac, iOS, AndroidPuzzle game for all ages
Divide By Sheep gameVictor Solodilov, Denis Novikov2015PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidA mind-bending math puzzler about friendship
The BookwalkerDO MY BEST2023PCPlayer dives into books
Hello EngineertinyBuild2023PCEngineering puzzle game

Horror

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Hello NeighborDynamic Pixels2017PC, Console, MobileStealth horror, multimedia franchise
Garage: Bad TripZombie Dynamics2018PC, Nintendo SwitchBloody topdown shooter inspired by VHS era B-movies
Pathologic 2Ice-Pick Lodge2019PC, Xbox, PS4Thriller, deadly outbreak
Secret NeighborHologryph, Eerie Guest Studios2019PC, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, Nintendo SwitchSocial Horror Game where one of the players is the Neighbor in disguise
Hello Neighbor: Hide and SeekDynamic Pixels2019PC, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, SwitchDramatic prequel to the hit stealth horror game Hello Neighbor
Happy’s Humble Burger FarmScythe Dev Team2021PCRestaurant Simulation meets Survival Horror mind-blower
Hello Neighbor 2tinyBuild2022PC, Xbox, PlayStation, SwitchSequel of the first game
Hello GuesttinyBuild2022PC, iOS, XboxTheme park horror
Expedition ZeroEnigmatic Machines2022PCSurvival horror in Siberia
Hello Neighbor: Search and RescueSteel Wool Studios2023Steam VR, PS VR, Meta QuestFamily-friendly VR horror

Survival

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Outpost ZeroSymmetric Games2019PCColonize planet & survive
Pandemic Express – Zombie EscapeTALLBOYS, tinyBuild2019PCEscaping a zombie swarm by train
Streets of RogueMatt Dabrowski2019PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS4, SwitchFight, sneak, and hack your way through randomly generated cities
Farworld PioneersIgloosoft2023PC, PlayStation, XboxAn open-world, sci-fi sandbox
DeadsideBad Pixel2024PCOpen world survival shooter
DUCKSIDEtinyBuild Riga2024PCSurvival MMO with ducks
I Am FutureMandragora2024PCCozy post-apocalypse survival with a view
ALL WILL FALLAll Parts ConnectedTBAPCPost-apocalyptic city builder
SANDHologryph, TowerHausTBAPCOpen world PVPVE survival
Streets of Rogue 2Matt DabrowskiTBAPCA crazy, immersive RPG sandbox

Simulation

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
One Troll ArmyFlyAnvil2016PC, MacDefense/fort-building game
Community IncT4 Interactive2017PC, Nintendo SwitchCommunity-building simulator
Party Hard TycoonPinokl Games, Kverta Limited2017PCBusiness simulation with throwing the most profitable party ever
Startup PanicAlgorocks2022PC, Android, iOSBuild your startup
Potion Craftniceplay games2022PC, Xbox, PS4/5, SwitchAlchemist simulator
Not For BroadcastNotGames2022PCNewsroom simulator
Cartel TycoonMoon Moose2022PCNarrative-driven tycoon
Black SkylandsHungry Couch Games2023PCExplore the endless skies, fight the sky pirates, gather unique weapons
Train Valley WorldFlazm2024PCTransport tycoon
The King is WatchingHypnohead2025PCA roguelite kingdom builder
Pigeon SimulatorHakJakTBAPCPlay as the world’s most notorious birds

RPG

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Fearless FantasyEnter Skies2014PC, iOS, AndroidA gesture-based RPG
Dungelot: Shattered LandsRed Winter Software2016PC, iOS, AndroidAn epic roguelike dungeon-crawler adventure
Graveyard KeeperLazy Bear Games2018PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, MobileThe most inaccurate medieval cemetery management sim of 2018
Swag and SorceryLazy Bear Games, Uroboros Games2019PC, iOSStreamlined RPG about fighting monsters and fashion
UndungeonLaughing Machines2021PC, XboxSci-fi tactical RPG
AsterigosAcme Gamestudio2022PC, Xbox, PlayStationJourney inspired by Greek and Roman mythologies.
Broken RoadsDrop Bear Bytes2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, SwitchParty-based RPG
Of Ash and SteelFire & FrostTBAPCOpen-world third-person RPG

Platformer

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
No Time to ExplaintinyBuild2011PC, Xbox OneCompany’s first title
Spoiler AlertMEGAFUZZ2014PC, Mac, Linux, iOSComedy platformer played backward
Lovely PlanetQuicktequila2014PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, PS4, Wii UCute first-person shooter
Lovely Planet 2: April SkiesQuicktequila2019PC, Mac, LinuxSequel

Party/Brawler

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Party HardPinokl Games2015PC, Console, MobileSatirical stealth gameplay
Party Hard 2Pinokl Games, Kverta, Hologryph2018PC, Xbox, PS4, SwitchSequel
Rapture RejectsGalvanic Games, Explosm Games2018PCApocalyptic Battle Royale set in Cyanide & Happiness universe
Kill It With Fire VRCasey Donnellan Games LLC2019Steam VR, Meta QuestTake your arachnophobia to new heights, and deal with spiders
Kill It With FireCasey Donnellan Games LLC2019PCHunting spiders and causing collateral damage
SpiderHeckNeverjam2022PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationSpiders with laser swords
Kill It With Fire 2Casey Donnellan Games LLC2024PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationArachnophobia. The Game. The Sequel
RAWMENANIMAL2024PCHardcore Online Soup Shenanigans
SpeedRunnersFair Play LabsTBAPC, ConsoleCompetitive platformer

Strategy

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Not The Robots2DArray2013PC, Mac, LinuxRoguelike Stealth Furniture Eating Simulator
Punch ClubLazy Bear Games2016PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox ONE, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, 3DSBoxing management tycoon
BoidMokus2016PCReal-time strategy where your only resource is your arm
Despot’s GameKonfa Games2022PCRoguelike tactics
Punch Club 2: Fast ForwardLazy Bear Games2023PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStationPlay fighter management sims
Drill CoreHungry Couch Games2025PCCorporate greed meets strategic planet-mining
KingmakersRedemption Road GamesTBAPCAction/strategy sandbox

Rhythm/Music

Game TitleDeveloperRelease YearPlatformsNotes
Road to BallhallaTorched Hill2016PC, Xbox One, PS4, SwitchFeel the rhythm to overcome hazards
Stage PresenceSea Green Games2017PC, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, OSVRA comedy-horror-karaoke
Rhythm SproutSURT2023PC, Switch, Xbox, PS4/5Rhythm action game

tinyBuild Games Publishing Approach

tinyBuild has built a reputation for supporting bold, unconventional games while helping developers reach wider audiences.

Their game publishing approach combines careful title selection, robust support systems, and flexible contracts that prioritize creative freedom.

How tinyBuild Games Picks Titles to Publish

tinyBuild discovers games through multiple channels: industry events, open pitches from developers, and tracking early access performance.

What sets them apart is their willingness to embrace riskier concepts that might not fit the mainstream mold.

Hello Neighbor and SpeedRunners

While video game publishers like Devolver Digital or Team17 also champion indie games, tinyBuild often prioritizes projects that are meme-worthy or viral-ready, tapping into cultural trends and online communities early in the development cycle.

This focus has allowed them to launch titles like Hello Neighbor and SpeedRunners, which became more than just games; they became social phenomena.

Support Model and Developer Partnerships

tinyBuild provides comprehensive support to developers, including funding, marketing campaigns, quality assurance, localization, and negotiating platform releases.

Their model differs from many traditional publishers in that developers retain creative control, meaning their vision is preserved while tinyBuild amplifies its reach.

In contrast, publishers like Team17 often offer more structured oversight, and Devolver Digital may act more as a co-publisher for certain titles.

tinyBuild’s approach encourages long-term collaboration, helping studios grow alongside their games rather than simply delivering a one-off product.

Revenue Share and Publishing Contracts

Revenue splits at tinyBuild are competitive with other indie-focused video game publishers but often come with greater flexibility tailored to each project.

Whereas Team17 or Devolver might use standardized revenue models, tinyBuild negotiates deals that can include milestones, marketing support, or shared revenue from cross-media expansions.

This flexibility has made them attractive to developers who want to maintain a strong financial stake in their IPs while still leveraging the publisher’s infrastructure for growth.

tinyBuild Games Business Growth and Strategic Moves

Since their indie beginnings, tinyBuild Games has surged ahead through targeted acquisitions and decisive strategies, bolstering their talent and expanding their global footprint to emerge as a leading indie publisher.

Studio Acquisitions by tinyBuild Games

TinyBuild strategically acquired studios to enhance their creative capabilities and align with their focus on innovative, engaging games.

DynamicPixels and Hologryph studio

In November 2020, they invested $3 million for a majority stake in Hologryph, creators of Secret Neighbor, which expanded the Hello Neighbor series and supported projects like Party Hard 2, including ports to PS5 and Xbox Series X.

That July, TinyBuild acquired Dynamic Pixels’ Hello Neighbor team, forming Eerie Guest Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands. With over $15 million invested in the franchise, this ensured ongoing sequels and narrative expansions.

In August 2021, the $10.2 million purchase of animation specialist Animal in Pasadena, California, brought expertise from collaborations like Rawmen, enabling more visually rich Tiny Build Games video games.

These moves drove global growth, with offices in Eastern Europe’s Lviv, Ukraine, and Riga, Latvia, for cost-effective talent, plus U.S. sites in Seattle, Bellevue, and Pasadena, alongside Dutch hubs.

Now with over 400 employees, TinyBuild develops for PC, consoles, and mobile, reducing risks and reaching diverse audiences.

Public Listing and Financial Growth

TinyBuild’s March 2021 IPO on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM marked a pivotal funding milestone, boosting visibility and resources for expansion.

Shares opened at 169 pence, valuing the company at £340.6 million ($474 million) and raising $49 million total, with $40 million retained for development.

Investors, led by Zeus Capital, backed their franchise-building approach, making it AIM’s largest indie debut.

Public status increased transparency via regular reports and investor calls, aiding acquisitions like Versus Evil.

Revenue rose from hits like Potion Craft, despite the cost of IPO costs, accelerating hires, and scaling TinyBuild into a global indie leader.

tinyBuild Games Flagship IP – Hello Neighbor Franchise

Launched as a 2017 stealth-horror game, Hello Neighbor evolved into a multimedia powerhouse, amassing over 30 million downloads with its mix of suspense, puzzles, and emotional depth for young fans and horror lovers.

Evolution from Game to Franchise

The original PC and Xbox One title challenged players to infiltrate a neighbor’s house against adaptive AI, uncovering basement secrets and driving demand for expansions.

The franchise extended to YouTube animated shorts for quick lore hits. Scholastic novels and graphic novels by Carly Anne West, family board games, and merchandise like toys and apparel create a broad entertainment web.

Community Engagement and Fan-Driven Content

Fans propel Hello Neighbor’s vitality through mods, spin-offs, and viral creations, transforming players into collaborators who enrich the universe.

For example, ModDB hosts user packs with custom levels, skins, and stories from 2020 on, letting creators remix the horror freely.

Hello Neighbor Mods on ModDB

In addition to that, YouTube fuels growth with millions of views on let’s-plays, theories, and reactions, unpacking Easter eggs and mysteries.

TinyBuild also engages via social channels with announcements, fan-art features, and contests for prizes.

Lastly, Discord offers real-time chats for mod sharing, beta access, and developer AMAs, fostering a tight-knit community that inspires organic expansions and sustains global passion.

tinyBuild Games Industry Impact and Influence

TinyBuild Games has made a deep impact on the gaming world, acting as a key driver for indie creativity that motivates developers to chase bold ideas and build stronger ties with fans everywhere.

Role in the Indie Publishing Boom

During the mid-2010s indie explosion, TinyBuild stepped up to reshape publishing.

They team with leaders like Devolver Digital and Raw Fury to craft a friendlier space where small studios could expand freely without sacrificing their original voice.

Devolver brought sharp wit to the mix, Raw Fury highlighted thoughtful tales, and TinyBuild zeroed in on playful, internet-meme games that struck a chord with digital crowds, showing how offbeat projects could climb to major hits.

You can see this power in their standout wins.

tinyBuild Games and their humor in video games

Divekick, a cheeky one-button brawler, became a Steam sensation under their wing, pulling in players with savvy ads and convention hype.

Potion Craft followed suit, growing from a basic brewing demo into a smash, fueled by TinyBuild’s smart localization and fan-building efforts.

Through targeted promo and wide distribution, they close the gap between tucked-away indies and big-league crowds, carving out fresh paths in a space once locked down by the titans.

Innovations in Cross-Media IP Building

TinyBuild shines in spinning game worlds into full-blown media kingdoms, fusing hands-on play with books, clips, and swag to pull fans in tighter and keep the money flowing long-term.

Their star case, Hello Neighbor, leaped from a lone scare-fest into a broad lineup of stories and tabletop fun with Scholastic tie-ins, adding easy-read books that hook kids beyond the screen.

Hello Neighbor Scholastic tie-ins

This isn’t random grabs; it’s a clear-cut guide for staying power, merging the game’s pull with the media’s wide net, all shaped by listener input and bendy plots.

With cash crunches and app scatter on the rise, TinyBuild’s playbook looks set to lead the pack, much like how Among Us or Hades are dipping toes into extras.

In the end, it arms indie game publishers to square off against the big leagues in tale-crafting.

Challenges and Criticism Faced by tinyBuild Games

No success story in gaming comes without hurdles, and TinyBuild has faced its share of scrutiny amid rapid growth, highlighting the tightrope walk between ambition and execution in the high-stakes indie world.

Quality Control Issues in Recent Titles

As TinyBuild scaled up their output to meet post-IPO investor expectations, concerns about quality control began to surface in several releases.

Players and critics pointed to signs of rushed development, which sometimes undercut the polish fans expect from their quirky catalog.

User feedback on platforms like Steam and Metacritic often highlighted bugs, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped mechanics in titles pushed to market ahead of schedule, reflecting the pressures of a public company balancing speed with refinement.

A prime case study is Hello Neighbor 2, the 2022 sequel.

Negative reviews on Steam about Hello Neighbor 2

Despite its ambitious open-world stealth, it drew mixed reviews for frustrating AI glitches and repetitive puzzles, earning a middling 59 on Metacritic compared to the original’s stronger reception.

Players vented about performance hiccups on consoles and a story that felt disjointed, underscoring how the franchise’s multimedia rush may have strained core gameplay iteration.

While patches addressed some issues, these critiques serve as a reminder that even beloved IPs can stumble when growth outpaces rigorous testing, which is a common pitfall in the fast-moving indie space.

Transparency and Developer Relations

Beyond product woes, TinyBuild has navigated backlash over transparency and developer relations, with some partners alleging communication gaps and shifting expectations that strained collaborations in the wake of their public listing.

Reports from outlets like GamesIndustry.biz detailed frustrations from smaller indie game development studios feeling sidelined during marketing decisions or revenue shares.

This paints a picture of a company grappling with the transparency demands of shareholders versus the flexibility indies crave.

In context, these issues aren’t unique to TinyBuild, as similar gripes have dogged publishers like Team17 amid their own expansions, where scaling often amplifies misalignments between corporate goals and creative visions.

tinyBuild Games and their support hub

Yet, TinyBuild has responded with proactive steps, such as enhanced dev support programs and public apologies, aiming to rebuild trust.

This ongoing dialogue illustrates a broader industry evolution, where fostering open lines with creators isn’t just ethical but essential for sustaining the collaborative spirit that fueled the indie boom in the first place.

Upcoming tinyBuild Games to Watch

tinyBuild continues to push boundaries with upcoming projects that fans and developers are watching closely.

Their slate of new titles reflects both their quirky indie roots and an ambition to expand their franchises.

Confirmed Projects in Development

Some of the games officially announced or teased by tinyBuild include:

  • Hello Neighbor 2: The next chapter in the popular stealth-horror series, refining mechanics and expanding the story.
  • Secret Neighbor Spin-off: A multiplayer-focused extension building on the asymmetrical gameplay.
  • New Experimental Indie Titles: Smaller projects from partner studios, often quirky and risk-taking, keeping with tinyBuild’s signature style.

Rumored Titles and Community Wishlist

Beyond confirmed projects, speculation runs high in the community.

Leaks from studio hiring patterns, teaser trailers, and social media chatter suggest possible expansions of existing franchises or entirely new IPs.

tinyBuild Games' new games on Steam

Fans are particularly excited about potential crossovers and experimental gameplay ideas that could follow the success of titles like Streets of Rogue or Hello Engineer.

tinyBuild engages with this buzz subtly, allowing the community to influence priorities without committing prematurely, creating anticipation and organic hype.

What Game Developers Can Learn from tinyBuild Games

TinyBuild’s rise from a scrappy indie team to a major video game publisher is full of lessons. Their path shows how small studios can break through with the right mix of planning, creativity, and business sense.

Lessons on Pitching to Publishers

If you want tinyBuild to notice your game, you need more than an idea.

A vertical slice is essential, as it proves the core gameplay works. Show some community traction too, maybe playtesters, Discord buzz, or early streamer interest.

The guide on how to pitch your game on tinyBuild Games' website

And never skip a game design document (GDD). It’s your blueprint and helps publishers see the long-term vision.

TinyBuild has always backed quirky, risky ideas, so pitch with confidence and lean into what makes your game different.

Building Long-Term Game IPs Like tinyBuild

TinyBuild doesn’t just publish one-offs; they grow franchises. Hello Neighbor turned into sequels, spin-offs, and even books.

So, indie devs can learn from that approach. Don’t stop at a single release, but think about sequels, spin-offs, and cross-media opportunities.

Planning for transmedia storytelling, whether that’s YouTube series, comics, or merch, creates deeper fan engagement.

Conclusion

What began as a modest experiment has turned tinyBuild into a force within indie publishing.

Along the way, they’ve balanced creative risks with business savvy, turning quirky titles into global franchises and redefining what “indie” success looks like.

Their trajectory offers lessons for everyone: game developers can learn how to pitch smarter, publishers can see the value of community-driven growth, and fans can appreciate the power of supportive ecosystems.

To follow where tinyBuild goes next, dive into their library and stay connected through Gamespublisher.com.

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