Gameforge

Gameforge is a German video game publisher, developer and live-operations company based in Karlsruhe. Its business spans free-to-play MMORPGs, browser-based strategy games and selected independent releases. Alongside developing its own games, the company licenses and publishes titles from external developers, supporting their operation and adaptation for international audiences.

Founded in December 2003 by Alexander Rösner and Klaas Kersting, Gameforge grew from OGame, the browser-based space strategy game Rösner released in 2002. Its early business offered free access to browser games supported by optional micropayments. The company subsequently expanded into client-based MMORPG publishing, bringing games developed by Asian studios to Western markets.

Publishing and long-term operations

Gameforge's portfolio includes internally developed browser titles such as OGame and Ikariam, alongside publishing and operational work on Metin2, AION, NosTale, Elsword and Runes of Magic. Its historical European publishing work also includes TERA, which it operated from 2012 to 2022. These roles vary by title: the company combines original development with regional publishing, distribution and ongoing operations for games created by partner studios.

Its publishing capabilities encompass marketing, localization, community management, player support and technical infrastructure. Live operations include content updates, in-game events, patch deployment and management of monetization and game economies. These activities support games over extended periods, connecting technical maintenance with localized content and community engagement. The company serves international audiences across Europe, North America, Latin America and other markets.

Portfolio development

After international expansion and a period of investment in mobile games, Gameforge restructured in 2016 to concentrate on PC live-service MMORPGs, established browser games and ongoing operations. More recently, its IndieForge label has extended its publishing activity into premium single-player and cooperative games developed by independent studios. Releases associated with this initiative include Trigon: Space Story and Tiny Thor.

This combination of proprietary games, licensed online titles and independent publishing gives Gameforge several distinct roles in the games industry, from creating browser strategy experiences to maintaining multiplayer services and bringing externally developed games to market.