GitHub co-founder Chris Wanstrath has announced the establishment of Null Games, a developer-friendly publisher of indie games for PC, Mac, and consoles. Null’s first game, Tape to Tape, is coming to Steam this year.
According to Wanstrath in a celebratory message marking the company’s establishment, Null Games is part of a new breed of indie game publishers who prioritize developers. The message highlights the importance of fair and friendly working agreements and publishing terms for indie game makers, and taking a stand against the industry’s often unfavorable treatment of creators and one-sided publisher contracts.
“We’re part of a new wave of indie game publishers that put developers first,” said Wanstrath as he described the company’s vision for partnerships and contracts. “Our publishing agreement has some of the most developer-friendly terms there are. We partner with developers who share our vision, and, in exchange, we share their risk.” Wanstrath wants Null Games to provide a more supportive environment for sustainable game creation, rejecting the “crunch culture” and treating both developers and players with the respect they deserve.
Its first game, Tape to Tape, is a fantasy sports game developed by Excellent Rectangle, and it is inspired by classic titles such as Mutant League Hockey, Super Baseball 2020, and NBA Jam. Although hockey is at its core, the game has been designed to appeal to both sports fans and non-sports fans alike. Players will embark on a journey filled with unique characters and vibrant teams, and they will have the opportunity to upgrade their abilities and roster as they strive to become world champions.
Tape to Tape features rogue-lite gameplay inspired by Hades and Slay the Spire, but unlike many other games, it does not include battle passes or loot boxes — a conscious decision by the publisher to show respect for the players. The gameplay loop revolves around building up your team and gathering permanent upgrades with up to four players either locally or online. Also, to add a unique touch, the game seamlessly blends 2D hand-drawn sprites with 3D environments to make it stand out from other typical offerings in the market.