Galaxy on Fire

Lore & Background

Fishlabs was founded in 2004 by Michael Schade and Christian Lohr and incorporated as Fishlabs Entertainment GmbH. The studio received early financing that covered development expenses for several years while generating revenue from releases. It developed advergames such as Barclaycard's Waterslide Extreme before focusing on its own titles. By mid-2013, Fishlabs had run out of money, cut 25 jobs in October, and entered self-administration. On 2 December 2013, Koch Media acquired Fishlabs in an asset deal, transferring 52 employees and all assets to a new division called Deep Silver Fishlabs. The former legal entity was dissolved, and both founders left to found Rockfish Games. Under Koch Media, Fishlabs moved into video game publishing. In March 2022, Fishlabs received €5.5 million in German government funding for Project Black, a third-person action game expected by August 2026. By January 2023, the company employed 95 people. In September 2023, Embracer Group (parent of Koch Media, now Plaion) underwent cost-cutting restructuring; Project Black was cancelled and about 12 employees were laid off. Fishlabs then pitched a new Red Faction game after the closure of series developer Volition; despite initial positive reception, that title was cancelled in November 2023, leading to around 50 layoffs.

Reader's Guide

The Galaxy on Fire series stands as Fishlabs' most recognized achievement, establishing the studio as a notable mobile game developer before its financial difficulties and acquisition. The series' success helped define Fishlabs' identity, though the studio's history is marked by bankruptcy, acquisition by Koch Media, and later restructuring under Embracer Group. The series itself is not detailed in the source article beyond being named as the studio's best-known work. Fishlabs' trajectory—from independent startup to part of a major publishing label—reflects broader industry trends of consolidation and the challenges of independent game development. The studio's later projects, including the cancelled Project Black and a proposed Red Faction game, indicate continued ambition despite workforce reductions. The Galaxy on Fire series remains the primary legacy of Fishlabs, though the source provides no specific release dates, platforms, or critical reception for the games themselves.

Did You Know?

• Fishlabs is best known for its Galaxy on Fire series.
• The studio was founded in 2004 by Michael Schade and Christian Lohr.
• Fishlabs was acquired by Koch Media in December 2013 and reorganized as Deep Silver Fishlabs.
• Both founders left Fishlabs after the acquisition and founded Rockfish Games.