Reforged Studios has announced its acquisition of South African developer Yellow Lab Games, further solidifying its presence in the global gaming industry. While the terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the partnership highlights Reforged’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation in emerging markets.
A Vision for Collaboration
Yellow Lab Games will maintain its independence, focusing on its own intellectual property while collaborating on Reforged’s projects. Currently, Yellow Lab is developing Metavoidal, a heavy metal-inspired roguelite RPG that has already gained traction with an alpha release on Itch.io. The game is slated for a full release on Steam in early 2025.
Reforged CEO and founder Peter Van Der Watt expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “Growing up in South Africa, I have always been aware of the incredible game development talent the country hosts. Yellow Lab Games have been on my radar for some time, especially since seeing the positive reaction to Metavoidal, their first foray into PC and console gaming.”
Strengthening Africa’s Gaming Scene
This acquisition not only expands Reforged’s portfolio but also highlights its commitment to investing in Africa’s burgeoning gaming scene. Van Der Watt added, “I have championed South African game development around the world since moving to Scotland to found my first game studio back in 2011. Today, the whole of Reforged’s board shares my enthusiasm for the region’s potential. We are all really excited to add South Africa’s top games talent to the Reforged team and fully expect this to be the beginning of a broader investment in Africa’s burgeoning gaming scene.”
A Year of Strategic Growth
Reforged has been actively expanding its reach in 2024. Prior to acquiring Yellow Lab Games, the studio purchased Ground Shatter and Extra Mile Studios in August, underscoring its strategic growth initiatives. The addition of Yellow Lab Games positions Reforged to explore untapped markets and diversify its offerings.
Looking Ahead
With Yellow Lab’s Metavoidal on the horizon and Reforged’s ambitious plans for Africa’s gaming industry, this acquisition marks a pivotal moment for both companies. The collaboration promises to bring fresh perspectives and innovative projects to gamers worldwide, while fostering growth in an emerging hub for game development.
Key Points
- Reforged Studios acquires South African indie developer Yellow Lab Games.
- Yellow Lab will operate independently while contributing to Reforged projects.
- Yellow Lab’s roguelite RPG Metavoidal is set to launch on Steam in Q1 2025.
- This marks Reforged’s third acquisition in 2024, following Ground Shatter and Extra Mile Studios.
- Reforged CEO Peter Van Der Watt emphasizes a broader investment in Africa’s gaming potential.