adminThe Outersloth game funding agreement sets out how the company shares revenue with the independent studios it funds. By making its standard contract public, Outersloth aims to give developers and other industry businesses a clearer view of its terms and encourage more developer-friendly funding discussions.
Image credit: Outersloth
What the Outersloth game funding agreement says
Outersloth, the funding arm of Among Us developer and publisher Innersloth, has published its standard agreement for projects with independent studios. The company shared the contract after discussing its funding approach at the Game Developers Conference.
Under the terms outlined, Outersloth receives a 50% share of revenue until a project has recouped its investment. After recoupment, its share falls to 15%. For developers reviewing any funding offer, it is useful to check carefully how a contract defines recoupment, which revenue is included and when each share applies.
Platform rights and project funding
Outersloth may provide funding for a game on only certain platforms, while signing an agreement that covers all platforms. The company’s stated reasoning is that developers would otherwise be able to bring the game to additional consoles only when the funding was platform-specific. It has also argued that because its investment helps make development possible, it should not be excluded from later deals connected to the title.
For studios, the practical takeaway is to clarify the agreement’s platform scope before signing. Teams can compare the platforms receiving funding with those covered by the contract and ask how future releases or related deals are treated.
Outersloth’s funding activity and goals
Since 2022, Outersloth has invested $19,161,040 across 24 projects. The company reports a signing percentage of 1.4%, which it describes as slightly above the industry average.
Communications director Victoria Tran and CEO Forest Willard said the contract was published to encourage other companies to consider terms that are more favorable to developers. Their view is that publicly available information can influence what becomes standard in future funding discussions. Making an agreement available also gives studios a concrete document to review, although each project’s needs and negotiated terms may differ.
How Outersloth fits into the games industry
Outersloth was officially announced in June 2024, following the success of Among Us. Tran said the funding initiative had been operating as an open secret since 2022. The company describes itself as a funding outfit rather than a publisher and says it does not plan to take intellectual property rights from developers. In October 2024, it secured additional funding.
Publicly sharing contract terms is uncommon in an industry where commercial agreements are often private. Raw Fury, an indie label, also published details of its publishing contract in 2021. Such disclosures can help developers identify points to discuss, but a public template is not a substitute for reviewing the specific agreement offered to a studio.
What developers should review
- Revenue share: Check the rates before and after the investment is recouped.
- Platform coverage: Confirm which platforms are funded and which are included in the agreement.
- Future deals: Understand how the contract applies to later releases or other opportunities involving the game.
- Project-specific terms: Compare the standard agreement with the final contract and seek qualified legal advice when needed.
Overall, the Outersloth game funding agreement offers a public example of how one funding company structures its relationship with independent developers. Its revenue-share stages, all-platform scope and stated commitment to transparency are useful points for studios to examine when assessing funding options.
