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Survival Horror

Raport Bieżący nr 38/2018

The management of PlayWay S.A. issued a formal communication regarding the performance and future strategy of its subsidiary, Madmind Studio, following the commercial and critical underperformance of the horror title Agony. Acknowledging that the game failed to meet the expectations of both investors and players upon its June 2018 release, the studio outlined a comprehensive recovery plan focused on technical stabilization and the release of a new, definitive version of the product. The immediate strategy involves a rigorous update schedule, with patches planned twice weekly to address technical flaws until player satisfaction improves. To further rehabilitate the brand, the studio announced Agony Unrated, a standalone or DLC version for PC scheduled for release within three months. This version aims to bypass age rating restrictions to include previously censored content, additional erotic animations, high-resolution assets, and expanded gameplay modes. To incentivize existing customers, the studio is negotiating deep discounts for current owners of the base game. In a candid post-mortem analysis, the studio identified several internal failures that contributed to the game’s poor reception. These include the artificial lengthening of the campaign from five to ten hours to appeal to console markets, which resulted in repetitive puzzles and poorly explained mechanics. Management admitted to ignoring critical feedback from external testing teams provided by PlayWay and failing to delay the launch despite warnings. Consequently, the studio has undergone structural changes, including the departure of the lead game designer. Moving forward, Madmind Studio intends to apply these lessons to future horror projects while focusing on restoring its reputation through direct self-publishing on the Steam platform.

game-publishing investment europe+2

PlayWayJun 2018

Legal

Raport Bieżący Nr 35/2018: Popremierowy Raport Sprzedażowy Dot. Gry Agony

The initial commercial performance of the horror title Agony indicates a strong market entry following its global release on May 29, 2018. Within the first 72 hours of availability, the title reached the top position on the Steam Global Bestsellers list. Sales figures for this period exceeded 34,000 units, a metric specifically accounting for digital sales on the Steam platform and the activation of retail PC keys. This figure represents only a partial view of the total commercial reach, as it excludes pending retail PC activations and all sales data from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 ecosystems, both in digital and physical formats. The financial framework for the project reveals a total production and marketing budget of approximately 3 million PLN. This net cost reflects the investment required after accounting for funds previously raised through Kickstarter, which were utilized by the developer, Madmind Studio, during the production phase. While the game has achieved significant visibility, the focus has shifted toward post-launch support, with ongoing technical updates and patches being deployed across PC and console platforms to address performance and gameplay issues. Strategic coordination between PlayWay and Madmind Studio remains a priority as they navigate the post-release phase. Beyond immediate technical maintenance, the companies are executing a long-term roadmap for the title and the development team’s future projects. The scope of this initial assessment is limited to the immediate three-day post-launch window and focuses primarily on the PC segment, with broader distribution through outlets like the Humble Store only commencing at the start of June 2018.

market-analysis pc survival-horror+2

PlayWayJun 2018

Legal

Raport Bieżący Nr 21/2018: Informacja Dotycząca Premiery Gry Agony

PlayWay S.A. has officially scheduled the global release of the horror title Agony for May 29, 2018, following coordination with its international distribution partner, Koch Media GmbH. This release encompasses a multi-platform strategy covering PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. While Koch Media manages the physical retail distribution for all platforms and digital sales for consoles, the developer and PlayWay subsidiary, Madmind Studio, retains control over digital distribution via the Steam platform. The title has successfully navigated the technical and regulatory hurdles required for a console launch, having completed the mandatory certification processes for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Due to the graphic nature of the content, the game has received a mature rating of 18+. To ensure a stable launch and manage the high level of public interest, the development team has engaged external quality assurance firms for final testing and a specialized public relations agency to handle media and community relations. This strategic update confirms that the production has reached its final stages of readiness across both physical and digital markets. By synchronizing the Steam release with the retail launch, the company aims to capitalize on existing market momentum. The involvement of external testers and PR professionals highlights a commitment to technical polish and communication management during the critical window surrounding the game's commercial debut.

game-publishing europe survival-horror+3

PlayWayApr 2018

Legal

Raport Bieżący Nr 25/2016: Zakończenie Kampanii Kickstarter dla Gry Agony

The successful conclusion of the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the survival horror title Agony marks a significant financial milestone for PlayWay S.A. and its subsidiary, Madmind Studio. Running from October 31 to December 10, 2016, the campaign attracted 3,926 individual backers who contributed a total of $182,642. This funding exceeds the initial requirements for the project and demonstrates strong consumer interest in the title prior to its commercial release. After accounting for platform fees and campaign-related expenses, the net proceeds reaching the Bydgoszcz-based developer are estimated at approximately 500,000 PLN. These funds are specifically earmarked for the continued development and expansion of the game. A primary objective for the allocation of this capital is the integration of virtual reality support, alongside general enhancements to the core gameplay experience. The scope of this financial event is centered on the Polish development sector and the global crowdfunding market, reflecting the strategic use of international platforms to secure production capital. By leveraging the Kickstarter community, the company has secured non-dilutive funding that supports both the technical evolution of the product and its market positioning within the competitive horror genre. This capital injection ensures the studio can meet expanded development goals, particularly regarding high-end technology implementations like VR.

europe investment monetization+3

PlayWayDec 2016

Legal

Current Report No. 15/2016: Update on Kickstarter Campaign for Agony

PlayWay S.A. has announced the successful achievement of the primary funding objective for the survival horror title Agony on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. As of November 14, 2016, the project reached its baseline financial goal of 66,666 USD. This milestone was accomplished approximately two weeks after the campaign's launch on October 31, 2016, demonstrating significant early interest from the global gaming community. The development of the title is being handled by Madmind Studio, a subsidiary of PlayWay based in Bydgoszcz, Poland. While the initial funding target has been met, the campaign is scheduled to remain active until December 10, 2016, providing an opportunity for additional stretch goals or expanded development resources. This financial progress highlights the market viability of the project within the horror genre and reflects the effectiveness of the studio's promotional strategy during the initial phase of the fundraising period. The disclosure serves as a formal update to previous corporate communications regarding the project's crowdfunding trajectory. Final results and the total capital raised through the platform will be disclosed in a subsequent report following the official conclusion of the campaign. This information is provided in accordance with market abuse regulations concerning the disclosure of inside information that could impact the valuation of the publicly traded parent company.

europe funding game-publishing+3

PlayWayNov 2016

Legal

Raport Bieżący Nr 12/2016: Uruchomienie Kampanii Kickstarter dla Gry 'Agony'

The management of PlayWay S.A. announced the official launch of a crowdfunding campaign for the survival horror title Agony on the Kickstarter platform. Initiated on the evening of October 31, 2016, the campaign was scheduled to run through December 10, 2016. The project is developed by Madmind Studio, a subsidiary based in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in which PlayWay holds a controlling interest. This strategic move serves as a formal notification to investors regarding the commercialization path of a key intellectual property within the company’s portfolio. The primary objectives of the campaign extend beyond the immediate acquisition of development capital. Management identified several strategic benefits, including the generation of significant marketing momentum and the validation of consumer interest. Furthermore, a successful funding round is expected to strengthen the company’s bargaining position during negotiations with global publishing partners. This leverage is considered vital for securing favorable terms for the eventual distribution of the game across both PC and console platforms. This corporate disclosure, issued under market abuse regulations regarding inside information, focuses specifically on the Polish development sector and the global digital distribution market. By leveraging crowdfunding, the company aims to mitigate financial risk while simultaneously building a dedicated community prior to the game's release. The announcement underscores the importance of community-driven funding as a tool for both financial stability and strategic brand positioning within the competitive international gaming industry.

europe funding game-publishing+4

PlayWayNov 2016