AdHoc Studio

Interview with Dispatch developer: We were told comedy games don't sell

The interactive narrative game Dispatch serves as a compelling case study in challenging industry orthodoxy regarding the commercial viability of comedy and narrative-driven titles.

• Dispatch achieved commercial and critical success with over four million sales and nine BAFTA nominations, despite industry skepticism regarding the viability of comedy-focused narrative games.
• The studio successfully utilized an episodic release model to maintain high player engagement and completion rates throughout the product's lifecycle.
• After losing an initial publishing partner, the studio pivoted to self-publishing, using a high-impact trailer at The Game Awards to secure investor confidence and retain creative control.