Snowman

Snowman is an independent game developer, creative partner and indie publisher based in Toronto, Canada. Its work spans mobile, console and PC games, with an emphasis on stylized art, animation and ambient audio. The studio combines internal development with collaborations in which it contributes publishing, production support and creative development.

Founded in 2012, Snowman began with mobile productivity applications and minimalist puzzle games. Its first release was Checkmark, a location-based reminder application, followed by Checkmark 2, the shift-scheduling utility Shifts, and the puzzle games Circles and Super Squares. These early projects preceded the studio's expansion into larger game productions and publishing partnerships.

Games and creative partnerships

Snowman collaborated with artist and programmer Harry Nesbitt under the collective banner Team Alto to create Alto’s Adventure, released in 2015. The endless snowboarding game established the series' minimalist visual style, dynamic lighting and fluid movement. Its sequel, Alto’s Odyssey, followed in 2018. The games subsequently reached PC and consoles through The Alto Collection, while expanded Apple Arcade editions introduced The Lost City and The Spirit of the Mountain.

The studio's publishing and co-development work extends beyond the Alto series. It partnered with The Game Band on the coming-of-age puzzle game Where Cards Fall, serving as publisher and production partner. Its collaboration with Norwegian developer Agens produced Skate City and the 2025 sequel Skate City: New York. Snowman also works with Slingshot & Satchel on the upcoming action-adventure game DISTANT.

Development across platforms

Snowman's development work for Netflix Games includes the vertically scrolling platformer Lucky Luna, released in September 2022, and the open-world wingsuit adventure Laya’s Horizon, released in May 2023. Across its own projects and partnerships, the studio supports game design, prototyping, full-cycle development, marketing, quality assurance and production. Its portfolio encompasses mobile subscription platforms alongside standalone releases for computers and consoles.