Earlier this year, former Netflix staffer Ben Kvalo (pictured) announced that he was setting up a new publisher. We now know more about this venture, dubbed Midwest Games.
The label is based in Wisconsin’s Green Bay and aims to create opportunities for people in the Midwest. Joining Kvalo as co-founder and head of partnerships is chief experience officer, Rob Martin III, who previously was the co-owner of Xset. Midwest has also hired Crunchyroll vet Jennifer Corbett, who is the company’s chief marketing officer, while Chris Klimecky has joined as chief project officer having previously worked at ProbablyMonsters and Harebrained Schemes.
Meanwhile, Midwest Games’ advisory body includes Striking Distance and 2K alum Mark James and Meta finance director Liz Kuehn.
The publisher has also been backed by TitletownTech, with whom Midwest shares an office with.
“At Midwest Games, our journey began with a resolute commitment to empower the vast talent pool residing in under-served regions,” said Kvalo.
“We recognised that innovation and creativity flourish beyond traditional tech hubs, and that’s why we set out to champion underrepresented regions, starting with the Midwest. Our mission is to provide resources for these talented developers to shine. Collaborating with TitletownTech aligns perfectly with our vision, as their philosophy of nurturing and inspiring the next wave of entrepreneurs resonates deeply with us. Together, we’re poised to redefine the games industry, delivering stellar games and cultivating a thriving regional games ecosystem.”
TitletownTech Partner Cordero Barkley added: “Our investment in Ben and Midwest Games is a testament to our shared belief that innovation knows no bounds. Together, we embark on a journey to redefine entertainment by publishing stellar games and elevating the regional games ecosystem.”
