Get ready to rethink how developer support works in the gaming industry. The masterminds behind Neon Doctrine are back, and they’re shaking things up with a bold new venture called Goldpact Goblins. But here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t your typical publishing house. Instead, it’s a developer services firm designed to empower small and midsize studios with smart, hands-on solutions—no revenue sharing, no funding strings attached. And this is the part most people miss: they’re already making waves, having inked deals with six developers across China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Korea, all within months of launching.
Co-founded by Vladislav Tsopljak and Iain Garner—the duo behind the East Asia-focused publisher Neon Doctrine—Goldpact Goblins emerged after their previous venture was absorbed by Raw Fury last year. Joining them is Gordon Van Dyke, a former Raw Fury executive who recently revived Kingdom Two Crowns developer Stumpysquid. Together, they’re offering a bespoke, community-first approach to challenges like community management, marketing, production, and even QA, all tailored to studios that need strategic support without giving up control.
But here’s the controversial part: Goldpact Goblins is deliberately distancing itself from the publishing label. Why? Because, as Garner explains, ‘We aren’t taking revenue share or offering funding. Those are core parts of publishing, and they’re not what we want to focus on.’ This move is designed to avoid confusion and the flood of pitches that come with being mistaken for a publisher. Instead, they’re targeting developers with existing resources, publishers needing short-term support, and funds looking to safeguard their investments. Yet, they’re quick to add, ‘If you’ve got a game and need help—whether it’s planning an update or managing an event—we’re here to jump in with practical solutions.’
Tsopljak highlights a critical issue: ‘The traditional revenue share and recoup models often fail teams, especially in regions like Southeast Asia, China, and South America.’ He points out that even successful developers in these areas can struggle to see meaningful income due to industry-standard splits and aggressive recoupment practices. ‘We want to provide a sustainable model that lets developers keep their earnings after launch,’ he says. This approach isn’t just business—it’s a mission to foster growth in underserved markets.
Based in Singapore, Goldpact Goblins is an international effort with deep roots in China, thanks to its founders’ experience with Neon Doctrine. But they’re not limiting themselves. ‘If someone needs help in a region we’re not heavily focused on, like Latin America or Japan, we’ll connect them with specialists,’ Garner notes. And the name? Goblins, they explain, represents their ethos: hardworking, resourceful, and adept at solving problems in unconventional ways. ‘We love getting our hands dirty in the processes that make games great,’ Tsopljak adds. ‘That’s always been our style.’
Here’s the question for you: In an industry dominated by traditional publishing models, can a services-first approach like Goldpact Goblins’ truly disrupt the status quo? Or is it just a niche solution for a select few? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
