Nine Worlds Studios

Nine Worlds Studios was a Munich-based game developer established by Kalypso Media Group in September 2021. It focused on strategy games, city-building and management simulations for PC and consoles. The studio operated as a distinct development subsidiary within Kalypso's internal production network and was established specifically to develop Tropico 7.

Its remit covered pre-production and early development of the next installment in the construction and political management simulation series. Development used Unreal Engine and targeted PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The studio's capabilities included game design, programming, systems engineering, 3D modeling and animation, technical art, and shader pipeline development, supporting its intended full-cycle production role.

Nine Worlds was Kalypso's fifth dedicated development studio and its second internal development operation in Munich, alongside Realmforge Studios. Although its public announcements and recruitment appeared through Kalypso's corporate channels, it had its own registered corporate identity. Its establishment formed part of the publisher's investment in internal development capacity for its strategy and simulation franchises.

Development transfer and closure

Nine Worlds handled Tropico 7 pre-production and early development from October 2021 into 2023. During Kalypso's subsequent restructuring, its registered corporate entity moved from Munich to Gütersloh and was renamed Gaming Minds Studios GmbH in October 2023.

On January 30, 2024, Kalypso announced that development of Tropico 7 had transferred to Gaming Minds Studios. Nine Worlds ceased operating as a separate studio, with its project foundation, technology and operations absorbed into that development team. Its contribution to the game therefore concerns the initial development period; subsequent production belongs to Gaming Minds Studios.