Innersloth, the studio behind the global hit Among Us, has announced that its Outersloth investment fund has allocated more than $19 million across 24 independent game projects since its inception in 2024. Unlike traditional publishers, Outersloth functions primarily as a funding partner, providing capital to studios while leaving creative control and intellectual property rights in the hands of the developers.
A New Standard for Transparency
In a move described by industry experts as "unheard of," Innersloth published its funding contract template online during a Game Developers Conference talk. The goal is to combat the secrecy that often puts indie studios at a disadvantage during negotiations. By making the terms public, Outersloth hopes to provide a baseline reference for developers seeking fair deals.
"The status quo often gets set by whatever information is out there," said Victoria Tran, Outersloth’s community director. She noted that having public knowledge of funding terms helps studios better negotiate for their survival.
Generous Revenue Splits
The investment model is designed to be developer-friendly, particularly regarding revenue splits. According to the released terms, revenue is shared equally (50/50) between the developer and Outersloth until the initial investment is recouped. Once that milestone is reached, the split shifts significantly in the developer's favor, offering them an 85% share of revenue, with Outersloth taking just 15%.
Video game lawyer Haley MacLean of Voyer Law praised the structure, noting that while recoupment splits are standard, Outersloth’s terms are particularly generous compared to the 100% recoup models often seen in the industry.
Time-Limited Agreements
A standout feature of the Outersloth contract is a fixed seven-year term. Regardless of whether the fund has fully recouped its investment, the agreement expires after seven years. Innersloth CEO Forest Willard emphasized that no one is entitled to a developer's money forever. This clause protects studios from entering "pre-recoup hell," a situation where low revenue shares trap developers in indefinite debt to publishers.
Abhi Swaminathan of Visai Games, a recipient of Outersloth funding, revealed that their lawyer had to double-check the contract, surprised by how favorable the terms were compared to industry standards. The initiative has been welcomed by the community as a "beacon of light" following a period of industry instability and corporate consolidation.
Comments
Leave a comment