Jackbox Party Pack Creator Expands Into Publishing With 'Long, Yucky Arm' Game

Jackbox Games, the developer famous for its annual party packs of phone-controlled games that even non-gamers love, is stretching its influence today by announcing a move into indie publishing. Its debut published title is 'My Arms Are Longer Now' from Melbourne-based Toot Games.

This marks a significant expansion for the party game specialist, signaling a shift beyond its usual comfort zone. In a conversation with CEO Mike Bilder at the DICE Summit last month, he revealed the company saw 'explosive growth' during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn't just about revenue; with Zoom happy hours, remote family play, and live streams, awareness and engagement with Jackbox soared, and that momentum has largely continued. This success has allowed Jackbox to diversify beyond its yearly party pack releases. For example, last year, the company announced plans to bring its party packs to smart TVs, making it easier for people to play games like Fibbage without dealing with complex setups.

Now, with publishing, Jackbox is starting with 'My Arms Are Longer Now.' Andy Kniaz, VP of business development and international at Jackbox, explains that this game exemplifies what they seek in published titles. They don't necessarily need to be party games—Jackbox already excels in that area—but they must align thematically. 'My Arms Are Longer Now' is a delightfully absurd 2D stealth game where you control an excessively long arm, described on its store page as 'like a yucky snake,' to steal items. Trailers suggest a quirky blend of Octodad, Thank Goodness You're Here, and Payday.

Toot Games, the developer behind it, has been showcasing the game at events like PAX Australia. The team has experience in microgames, comedy, and performance, which fits well with Jackbox's style. Kniaz notes, 'It's a voice. Jackbox has a voice, and we want people who speak our language.'

When asked if this means no gritty shooters, Kniaz joked with a headline pitch: 'Jackbox Vehemently Denies the Rumors They Were Acquiring Rockstar Games to Publish a Humorous and Light-hearted Grand Theft Auto VI.' While that won't top this article, he clarifies they're looking for playable games that evoke 'laughter in the room,' feature unique creative viewpoints, multiplayer elements, innovative controls, and above all, fun. Jackbox will provide marketing, production support, QA, release management, and other typical publisher services.

Kniaz and Bilder aren't planning to sign numerous games at once but are announcing this to encourage developer pitches. When asked about their five-year vision for the publishing label, Bilder quipped, 'Well, we will have acquired Rockstar by then,' with Kniaz adding, 'GTA 6 will be coming out under Party Pack 27. Crazy.'

Kniaz then offered a serious perspective: 'Ultimately, we're entering what some call 'ethical publishing.' It's just publishing, but we believe developers should earn from day one and have runway after launch to avoid financial struggles. This is common in our industry, and we aim to find great games, present them to our audience, and build a community of developers who grow with us.'

'My Arms Are Longer Now' is scheduled for release later this year.