Rover's Tale developer Observer Interactive parts ways with Team17 as it moves to self-publishing

Observer Interactive, the Middlesbrough-based studio behind Rover's Tale, has announced that they are moving towards self-publishing their debut title. This decision follows a recent parting with Publisher Team17. Team17 CCO and design director Matty McGrory explains that both teams shared the belief that Rover's Tale required what was best for its continued development.

The relationship with Team17 was described as mutually valuable, providing marketing support, production assistance and feedback that helped shape the game. Despite their professional ties, the move to self-publishing will see Rover's Tale launch independently. The release date has been pushed to 2027. At this stage, funding the final stretch of development is the biggest practical challenge, but McGrory notes Observer Interactive is in a position where they can fund the rest of development themselves.

The studio has diversified its portfolio with co-development projects and supported other game studios. Rover's Tale, Observer Interactive's first original IP, is still highly important to the studio, but the team's decision to launch it independently is aimed at securing the studio's future.