Bongfish
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2006
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Bongfish
Bongfish is an independent Austrian game developer based in Graz, working across console, PC and mobile games. Founded in 2006 as a university spin-out from Science Park Graz at Graz University of Technology, the studio combines original game production with co-development and ongoing support for established titles. Its work spans game design, engineering, art, animation, production and live operations.
The studio's early development centred on proprietary engine technology, procedural environments and realistic outdoor simulation. After appearing at E3 in 2006, Bongfish released the snowboarding game Stoked for Xbox 360 in 2009, followed by Stoked: Big Air Edition. Subsequent console projects included the asymmetrical multiplayer game Harms Way, Red Bull Crashed Ice Kinect and Motocross Madness, reflecting a recurring interest in sports, racing and multiplayer systems.
Co-development and live games
Bongfish has worked with Wargaming on World of Tanks since 2015. Its contributions include the 30-versus-30 Frontline mode, maps such as Fata Morgana, The Waffenträger events and quality-of-life updates. The studio also collaborated with Systemic Reaction and Avalanche Studios Group on Generation Zero, including its Companion system in 2023, and supported Star Stable Horses with Star Stable Entertainment.
Its mobile business has included both development and catalog operations. In 2016, Bongfish partnered with Flashman Games to acquire and operate The Smurfs' Village mobile catalog; the franchise was subsequently divested to PopReach in September 2019.
Technology and original projects
The company's capabilities include multiplayer engineering, procedural geometry, terrain simulation, open-world streaming and cross-platform optimization. Alongside its proprietary technology, it works with Unreal Engine and Unity on development, porting and production pipelines.
Bongfish's geospatial research activities contributed technology to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 before that team became the independent enterprise Blackshark.ai in 2020. Bongfish continues to develop games through publisher collaborations and its own intellectual property, including the couch co-op party game Chefs Arena.
More about Bongfish
Leadership and founders
- Daniela Hauswirth and Christian Stocker are Co-CEOs, and Gabriele Hebart is CTO, according to the October 2026 research.
- Michael Putz and Klaus Hufnagl founded the company. Putz subsequently shifted his executive focus to Blackshark.ai, where he is Co-Founder and CEO.
Production technology
The studio's proprietary engine is called SOMA. Its early technical development combined procedural geometry with realistic outdoor simulation, providing the technological foundation for its first retail console game.
Workplace practices
Bongfish describes a no-crunch philosophy and an international team. This reflects the company's stated approach to working practices rather than an independently verified assessment of employee experience.
Notable credits
15 creditsOffices
Current and former locations of Bongfish
- Am Eisernen Tor 3/2, 8010 Graz, AustriaGraz, Styria, Austria
Graz Headquarters & Main Development Studio
HeadquartersAbout this office
Overall headquarters housing development teams, live operations, central servers and executive management. The registered legal seat is separate from the operational premises.
- Vienna, Austria
Vienna office
Former officeAbout this office
Historical satellite branch. The report confirms a former operational presence and establishes that it is no longer an active Bongfish office; the exact closure year is not established.
- San Francisco, California, United States
San Francisco office
Former officeAbout this office
Historical publishing and partner liaison outpost, rather than a current independent development studio. No exact premises address or closure year is established.
Open roles
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