Digital Confectioners

Digital Confectioners is an independent video game developer founded in 2007 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The studio develops PC and console games, with a focus on multiplayer experiences spanning asymmetrical combat, social deception, survival and co-operative action. Its work combines original game development and publishing with technical engineering, co-development and support for other developers.

The studio began through modding and contract engineering using Unreal Engine. Its early work included technical and Unreal Engine programming support for Toxic Games’ Q.U.B.E.. These roots developed into capabilities covering gameplay programming, network architecture, custom tools, platform optimization and the infrastructure needed to operate multiplayer games after launch.

Multiplayer development

In late 2012, Digital Confectioners partnered with Alex Quick to resume development of Depth, an asymmetrical multiplayer game featuring player-controlled sharks and treasure-hunting divers. Released in November 2014, it became the studio’s first self-published commercial project and established a long-running live-service foundation. The studio sold the Depth intellectual property to Ammobox Studios in November 2025 while shifting its focus toward internal original projects.

Digital Confectioners subsequently developed Last Tide, an underwater battle royale released in 2018, and Dread Hunger, an eight-player Arctic survival and social deception game released in 2022. Its work also includes Fortnite Creative event maps produced under the creator name DiCo.

Recent projects

In April 2026, the studio released Packmates, a co-operative survivor roguelite built around tactical backpack inventory management. In September 2026, it announced that its project previously known as Triarchy had become Keelblade, an open-world fantasy pirate adventure planned for release in 2027.

Alongside its own games, the studio offers full-cycle development, game porting, multi-platform optimization and live-operations support. Tencent acquired a minority stake in September 2022; the supplied research describes the investment as preserving the studio’s leadership and creative independence.