tobspr Games

tobspr Games is an independent German developer and publisher focused on factory, automation and simulation games for PC. Founded by Tobias Springer in 2018, the studio grew from web-based strategy and tower-defence projects into a developer of systems-driven games built around production chains, optimisation and minimalist interfaces.

Its early releases include YORG.io, YORG.io 3 and schoolbreak.io. The studio’s breakthrough title, shapez, brought its factory-building approach to a broad PC audience in 2020. Its successor, shapez 2, entered Steam Early Access in August 2024 and reached version 1.0 in April 2026.

Games and development focus

The studio develops and self-publishes games centred on interlocking systems, procedural production chains and accessible automation mechanics. Its capabilities include:

• Full-cycle game development and independent publishing
• Factory, automation and simulation game design
• Player-focused live operations and community-driven development
• Modding and developer tooling, including the Shapez Shifter modding API

Alongside its established releases, tobspr Games is developing Puzzlez: A Shapez Game, a standalone 3D production-line puzzle game planned for 2027, and an unannounced 3D top-down factory project known as Project 3.

Remote studio model

tobspr Games is headquartered in Munich and operates as a fully remote team across nine countries. The company brings together game-development professionals working across Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay.

The studio’s work is rooted in the PC games market, particularly Steam, where it continues to expand its factory-game catalogue while supporting community participation and long-term game development. Its recent work on shapez 2 has also received industry recognition, including first place for Best Overseas Game at IndiePlay 2024 and Excellence in Game Design at DevGAMM 2024.