Midwest Games

Midwest Games is an independent video game publisher and publishing-services provider founded in 2023 by games industry veteran Ben Kvalo. The company focuses on helping developers from underrepresented and overlooked regions bring games to market across PC and console platforms, while supporting projects from strategy through launch and beyond.

Its publishing approach combines traditional full-cycle partnerships with Shadow Publishing, a modular publishing-as-a-service model introduced in early 2025. Through this flexible work-for-hire offering, developers and international publishers can access commercial, marketing, production, platform, and release expertise while retaining ownership of their intellectual property and equity.

Publishing and commercial support

Midwest Games provides services across the publishing lifecycle, including:

• Business and commercial strategy, including roadmap planning, portfolio strategy, milestone architecture, and funding navigation
• Marketing and audience development, from positioning and creative assets to storefront optimization and brand management
• Production planning, milestone review, PC and console certification management, QA coordination, localization, and release management
• Community, social-media, creator, and influencer outreach, alongside press campaigns and event participation

The publisher works across major PC and console storefronts and platforms, including Steam, GOG, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Its stated aim is to help independent teams navigate the infrastructure, audience-building, and operational demands of a modern game launch.

Portfolio

Midwest Games has published or partnered on titles including Tombwater, Hive Jump 2: Survivors, Dark Sky, The Lullaby of Life, Duck Paradox, Floor is... What!?, Ra Ra Boom, GodsTV, and The Legend of Baboo. These projects span collaborations with independent development teams in the United States and internationally.

The company is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and expanded its European presence in 2026 with a strategic hub in Lisbon, Portugal. Its public-facing motto, “Great Games Come From Anywhere,” reflects its focus on broadening access to publishing support beyond established coastal game-industry centers.