Alexander dusky has unveiled a new venture in the gaming industry with the establishment of Lyrical Media, which has introduced a privately funded indie game publishing arm called Lyrical Games.
This newly formed studio will be spearheaded by Blake Rochkind, an alumnus of Personal Division and UTA. Lyrical Games is already in the production phase for three projects in collaboration with various developers, including an exciting new title from Blackbird Interactive, known for their work on “Hardspace: Shipbreaker.”
Lyrical Media’s expansion into gaming comes alongside its ongoing film and television projects, which include notable titles such as Adam Wingard’s “Onslaught” and Michael Sarnoski’s “The Death of Robin Hood,” featuring stars like Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, and Bill Skarsgård. These films are set to be distributed by A24 and are part of a broader slate that includes adaptations like Emily Henry’s “Funny Story,” Brynne Weaver’s “Butcher & Blackbird,” and Lauren Roberts’ “Powerless.”
Strategic Vision for Indie Gaming
According to Lyrical Media, their goal with this indie gaming division is to enhance creative and high-quality games that occupy the space between smaller self-reliant titles and large AAA productions. As customary publishers increasingly favor safer investments while shying away from riskier ventures, Lyrical Games aims to support bold developers who possess vision, refinement, and a clear strategy for success in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Leadership Team Insights
Blake Rochkind previously served as head of business development at indie publisher Personal division (formerly under Take-Two Interactive) before transitioning from his role as a game agent at UTA. He is joined at Lyrical Games by Roger Kurtz—another veteran from Personal Division who held the position of head producer—and a diverse team comprising four additional members with experience in game publishing roles at companies such as Devolver Digital and Microsoft.
“Lyrical Media has allocated several million dollars towards Lyrical Games,” rochkind stated confidently. “We aim to make notable waves during this challenging period for the gaming industry.” The company plans to unveil its first games next year.
“There has been considerable upheaval within the gaming sector recently; many individuals are leaving or halting projects,” Rochkind noted. “This creates a unique prospect for us.While some initiatives may take years before release—potentially not launching until 2026—we have also identified some promising opportunities since our inception that we can announce very soon.” He emphasized that they intend to maintain momentum: “We’re eager to share news about our games this year while preparing for launches next year.”
A Collaborative Approach Towards Game Development
The team expresses enthusiasm about collaborating with a wide range of developers—from seasoned professionals boasting extensive experience to newer studios eager to innovate with fresh concepts.
“From day one at Lyrical Media,our mission has been clear: we aspire to be recognized as leaders in exceptional storytelling across all mediums,” Dusky remarked. “Our objective is to empower passionate game creators by connecting their artistry directly with players who will appreciate it deeply. At Lyrical Games, we understand that our success hinges on collaboration; without our partners’ visions guiding us forward, we cannot thrive.”