Everspace Developer ROCKFISH Games Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary

Founded in 2014 by Michael Schade and Christian Lohr, Hamburg-based studio ROCKFISH Games has reached its ten-year anniversary, establishing itself as a significant fixture in the German game development landscape. The studio currently employs 25 staff members and specializes in high-fidelity 3D space action titles developed using Unreal Engine.

The studio’s growth is anchored by the success of the Everspace franchise. Following the 2017 release of the original title and its expansion, the team secured 500,000 euros in Kickstarter funding to develop the sequel. Everspace 2 transitioned the series from a roguelike shooter to a semi-open world action RPG with looter-shooter mechanics. This project achieved notable commercial and critical success, including 200,000 copies sold during its Steam Early Access phase, where it maintained a 90% positive review rating. By 2023, the title had achieved a full release across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, earning recognition as one of the 12 highest-rated Early Access games of the year on Steam.

Beyond its commercial performance, the studio has received industry accolades, including three nominations at the 2023 German Developer Award for categories spanning game design, technical achievement, and overall quality. Currently, the team is focused on upgrading Everspace 2 to Unreal Engine 5 to streamline future maintenance and content updates. This milestone reflects the studio's evolution from a small startup into a recognized developer within the Hamburg creative sector.