Indie Game Publisher Vendetta Unveils 2027 Release Slate, Including ‘Surfpunk,’ as It Sets New Advisory Board (EXCLUSIVE)

Indie game publisher Vendetta has announced its release slate for 2027 alongside the formation of a new advisory board composed of leaders from the music, entertainment, and gaming sectors. The lineup features a diverse range of titles, from cooperative action games to narrative-driven single-player experiences.

Vendetta's 2027 lineup includes Surfpunk, a cooperative "Surf ’n Slash" adventure where players control surfer-pirates raiding islands teeming with monsters. Other announced titles span various genres, such as Killing Things With Your Friends, a chaotic co-op shooter emphasizing creative dismemberment, and The Mailroom, a cozy horror workplace simulator set in Hell.

The new advisory board brings together executives with backgrounds in music, Hollywood communications, anime, and game development. Notable members include James Roh of Far East Movement, as well as veterans from Tencent, Warner Bros. Games, and Riot Games. Their role is to guide Vendetta’s growth, publishing strategy, and opportunities for cross-media storytelling.

Founded by marketing firm Infinitize in April 2025, Vendetta promotes a fan-first approach to indie game publishing. The company draws on its experience in K-pop and anime to engage communities and support developers with unique creative visions. CEO Jenny Zha explains that Vendetta prioritizes listening to fandoms and fostering lasting relationships between developers and players.

Beyond Surfpunk, Vendetta’s collection includes Clerks & Quirks, a chaotic co-op management roguelite featuring magical appliances as characters, and Never’s End, a turn-based tactical RPG where elemental magic alters both combat and environment. The variety of titles reflects Vendetta’s commitment to diverse experiences within the indie market.

Other games in the slate are Acting Out, an online co-op party game focused on filming movie scenes, and Lola’s Familiars: Prison of Argnoh, an anime-inspired exploration and combat adventure. The inclusion of such varied genres indicates a strategic effort to reach different player demographics.

Vendetta’s advisory board comprises seven members, including Aldric Chang of Mixed Realms, Justin Woodward of Media Indie Exchange, Kevin Broderick of The Lippin Group, Philip Ser with experience at Riot Games and Crunchyroll, Richard Browne formerly at THQ and Tencent, and Valerio Di Donato of 34BigThings and Poncle. Their combined industry expertise supports Vendetta’s ambition to scale its publishing operations and expand its transmedia storytelling capabilities.

The company’s approach to indie game publishing leverages insights from its previous work across fan-driven industries such as K-pop and anime. This indicates a deliberate strategy to harness fandom engagement beyond traditional game marketing, aiming to build communities around distinct creative projects.

The 2027 release schedule positioning Vendetta as a rising player in the indie games publishing space aligns with broader trends of cross-media collaboration and fan-centric content development. The company’s advisement team, with its mix of music and gaming industry veterans, suggests an intent to blend entertainment sectors in future projects.

Vendetta’s titles emphasize cooperative play, narrative depth, and distinctive art styles, which could enhance the publisher’s competitive edge. Their announced games incorporate elements ranging from procedural generation to turn-based tactics, reflecting an investment in gameplay innovation within indie development.

While the release slate sets a clear trajectory, details such as exact launch dates and platform availability remain unconfirmed. The advisory board’s impact on upcoming projects and partnerships will unfold as Vendetta advances its 2027 plans.

The company’s positioning, combining fan insights with expert guidance, offers a potential model for indie publishers seeking to navigate a crowded market. Vendetta’s capacity to integrate diverse entertainment influences may also affect how future indie titles engage audiences across mediums.

The 2027 roster and advisory appointments represent a concerted effort to expand Vendetta’s influence in indie publishing, underscored by a portfolio that spans multiple genres and gameplay styles. The publisher’s next steps will involve leveraging its strategic board and community-driven philosophy to build momentum ahead of the upcoming releases.