Zugalu Entertainment Acquires Crimson Herring Studios

Calgary’s Zugalu Entertainment has officially acquired Edmonton-based Crimson Herring Studios, uniting two of Alberta’s standout indie game developers under one roof.

The move combines Zugalu’s knack for designing engaging gameplay with Crimson Herring’s reputation for rich storytelling. Together, the studios aim to deliver deeper, more immersive gaming experiences in upcoming projects.

As part of the acquisition, Crimson Herring’s Isaac Otway will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Zugalu Entertainment—signaling a collaborative future built on shared creative strengths (Thanks GI.Biz).

“We’re excited to welcome the talented team from Crimson Herring Studios into the Zugalu family,” said Branden Sloane, founder and CEO of Zugalu Entertainment. “Their expertise in narrative-driven games aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver meaningful, engaging player experiences.”

Otway echoed the enthusiasm: “Joining Zugalu as COO is an exciting opportunity. Our teams coming together opens up new possibilities for what we can achieve.”

This partnership reflects a growing trend in indie game development, where studios join forces to pool resources and broaden their creative reach—without losing the personal, handcrafted feel that indie fans appreciate.

Crimson Herring Studios, founded in 2020, has earned praise for its story-centric titles, particularly Sovereign Syndicate, a steampunk RPG known for its unique tarot-based mechanics. The 20-person team brings experience from both indie circles and major studios.

Zugalu Entertainment, established in 2014 by Branden Sloane, started small with a goal of fusing nostalgic game design with modern flair. The studio has since grown significantly, producing titles like Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, a medieval city-builder featuring real-time combat and tough decision-making mechanics.

With Crimson Herring now on board, Zugalu’s team expands to over 30 developers—boosting the studio’s capacity and creative range. Industry watchers say the move strengthens Zugalu’s position in Canada’s competitive game development landscape, blending complementary skill sets into a single powerhouse team.

Beyond developing their own original games, Zugalu Entertainment also works with external partners, offering services ranging from initial concept development to complete game production.