Chris Wright, industry veteran and founder of indie label Surprise Attack Games, today announced the launch of The Treasure Hunters FanClub, a new approach to funding independent video games.

The Treasure Hunters FanClub (THFC) brings together a group of industry figures (the FanClub) that want to invest in remarkable and unique games from indie developers (the Treasure Hunters). Deals from THFC combine indie-friendly funding terms, mentorship from experienced members of the industry and go to market support via a publishing deal with Surprise Attack Games.

The THFC team is led by Chris Wright, who held senior marketing roles at THQ before founding indie consulting company Surprise Attack in 2011 and launching indie label Surprise Attack Games in 2013. Felix Kramer, independent producer (Polytron, TUNIC), is handling game scouting duties.

The initial members of the club include Morgan Jaffit (Defiant Development), Andy Moore (Radial Games), Andy Sum (Hipster Whale), Alex Preston (Heart Machine), Robert Bowling (Bowling Haus Ventures) and Scott Reismanis (DBolical).

Developed out of the team’s extensive experience working with indie developers as well as more than a year of consultations with developers and investors, the THFC seeks to provide an alternative to the currently available options and address the major issues that developers and investors face in working together.

“As someone that boot-strapped a publishing label into success, I have an intimate understanding of how hard and intimidating finding funding can be and how that process is often at odds with remaining independent,” said Chris Wright, founder of The Treasure Hunters FanClub. “I wanted to create a funding option that suits the modern indie, letting them keep their creative independence and focus on the development rather than finding or managing investors whilst also partnering with them on bringing the game to the market and supporting them at every step along the way.”

The first project funded by THFC is Tear Through, from Australian developers, Walk with Kings. Putting you in the shoes of a SWAT team in high pressure situations, this top-down co-op action game strives to deliver a sense of meaningful violence, where the player feels the impact of every decision and every bullet fired.

The Treasure Hunters FanClub is now accepting pitches from developers with unique and original projects. More information on how to pitch and the kind of game that is suitable can be found on our Hunters page.

Membership of the FanClub is by invitation only but interested members of the industry can reach out to join@treasurehuntersfanclub.com for more info.