An independent studio’s latest fantasy turn-based strategy game has achieved a rare double: it sold more than any previous title from the same developer, yet it also failed to lose a single major award.
The game in question, Tactical Breach Wizards, follows a team of Navy Seers and Necro Medics as they navigate tactical breaches with a blend of fantasy elements. Since its launch in 2024, it has been met with near-universal critical acclaim while also setting an unusual record for award losses.
Developers Suspicious Developments revealed in their latest newsletter that the game outperformed financial expectations, selling twice as much as any prior project. This success allowed them to remain fully independent and self-funded—a position not many small studios can claim today.
Despite this commercial triumph, the team was determined to uphold a tradition of losing awards. They ‘proudly’ lost categories such as Golden Joysticks, two BAFTAs, a DICE award, and even a Hugo—an honor typically reserved for games that actually win. However, one award proved too much: they accidentally won the IGF Award for Excellence in Design.
In their newsletter, Suspicious Developments expressed regret over this unexpected victory, stating they were still trying to understand what went wrong. They pledged to ‘try to do worse’ in future submissions, a humorous nod to their long-standing streak of losing recognition.
The studio is now working on a new project, though details remain scarce. They confirmed that an earlier concept was scrapped, and they are currently developing something different. No title or further specifics have been shared yet.
