Kong Studios

Kong Studios is a video game developer and publisher founded in 2013 in Silicon Valley, California. Its work spans mobile, console and cross-platform role-playing games, combining narrative-driven design with retro pixel art, 2D animation and ongoing live-service development. The company has a presence in the United States, South Korea and Japan, supporting game production, localization, publishing and regional operations.

The studio debuted with Dungeon Link, a connect-the-dots puzzle RPG released globally in April 2015 through GAMEVIL. Its combination of puzzle mechanics and role-playing progression established the company's early mobile portfolio. The game later featured crossover content based on Cartoon Network's Adventure Time and concluded service in April 2019.

Guardian Tales, released globally in July 2020, became the studio's flagship property. Originally developed under the codename Project Snake, it combines top-down action-adventure gameplay with nostalgic pixel-art presentation, comedic writing and story-led progression. The game expanded from mobile platforms to Nintendo Switch in 2022, extending the studio's work into console publishing. It exceeded 10 million downloads and $100 million in sales within seven months of its global launch.

Development and publishing

Kong Studios' capabilities cover game design, engineering, art production, localization and continuing content updates. Its publishing activities include regional marketing, community management and live operations. Alongside relationships with external publishers, the company has expanded its own publishing responsibilities: it began direct Japanese operations for Guardian Tales in October 2021 and completed a global service migration to direct self-publishing in autumn 2026.

The studio's announced development slate includes Guardian Maiden, a retro pixel-art fantasy RPG unveiled in May 2026, and Project Octopus, a casual action roguelike set within the Guardian Tales universe. Netmarble signed an agreement to publish Project Octopus in late 2025. Another project, Project OS, explores a 3D open-world sandbox format, broadening a portfolio best known for 2D role-playing games.