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Thunder Lotus Games is an independent video game development studio based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Established in 2014 by founder Will Dubé, the company has gained recognition for its visually striking, hand-drawn titles that blend innovative gameplay with rich storytelling. Known for critically acclaimed games such as Jotun, Sundered, and the award-winning Spiritfarer, Thunder Lotus has evolved from a small crowdfunding success into a prominent indie developer. Its latest project, 33 Immortals, marks a bold step into large-scale multiplayer gaming, launched in early access in March 2025.
History[edit | edit source]
Thunder Lotus Games was born from Will Dubé’s ambition to create a game rooted in his passion for Norse mythology. After leaving a job in mobile game development, Dubé rallied a group of skilled friends and former colleagues in 2014 to form a collective. Initially considering the name "Lotus Games," he opted for "Thunder Lotus" to avoid overlap with another entity and to evoke a sense of energy and creativity. The studio’s debut project, Jotun, was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $64,000 CAD, exceeding expectations and cementing community support.
The release of Jotun in 2015 marked Thunder Lotus’s entry into the indie scene, drawing over a million players with its stunning art and action-exploration gameplay. This success fueled the studio’s growth, enabling it to pursue more ambitious projects. In 2017, Sundered introduced a darker, Metroidvania-style experience, showcasing the team’s willingness to experiment with new genres while retaining its signature hand-drawn aesthetic. By 2020, Spiritfarer—a heartfelt management game about death—elevated Thunder Lotus to new heights, selling over two million copies and earning multiple awards for its emotional depth and cozy design.
In 2023, the studio unveiled 33 Immortals, a cooperative action-roguelike for 33 players, signaling a shift toward online multiplayer. After a delay from its planned 2024 release and extensive beta testing, it entered early access in March 2025, reflecting Thunder Lotus’s commitment to quality and community-driven development. Today, the studio employs a passionate team of industry veterans and newcomers, blending AAA, indie, and mobile expertise to craft unique gaming experiences.
Games[edit | edit source]
Jotun[edit | edit source]
Released on September 29, 2015, Jotun is an action-adventure game inspired by Norse mythology. Players control Thora, a Viking warrior who must prove herself to the gods after an inglorious death. The game features exploration across vast landscapes and battles against towering jotuns (giants), all rendered in Thunder Lotus’s distinctive hand-drawn style. Its success on Steam and consoles established the studio’s reputation for blending art and gameplay.
Sundered[edit | edit source]
Launched on July 28, 2017, Sundered is a Metroidvania game with roguelike elements set in a haunting, ever-shifting world. Players guide Eshe, a wanderer who confronts eldritch horrors and chooses between resisting or embracing corrupting power. The game expanded Thunder Lotus’s artistic and technical scope, earning praise for its challenging combat and atmospheric design, though it received mixed feedback on its difficulty curve.
Spiritfarer[edit | edit source]
Spiritfarer, released on August 18, 2020, is a management simulation game with a poignant twist: players ferry spirits to the afterlife. As Stella, the ferrymaster, players build a boat, explore a vibrant world, and care for passengers before releasing them into eternity. Its hand-drawn art, emotional narrative, and cozy gameplay earned widespread acclaim, with sales surpassing two million copies by 2025. The game received multiple updates post-launch, adding new spirits and content based on player feedback.
33 Immortals[edit | edit source]
33 Immortals entered early access on March 18, 2025, as Thunder Lotus’s most ambitious project to date. This co-op action-roguelike supports up to 33 players in fast-paced, raid-style sessions inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Players embody damned souls rebelling against divine judgment, battling through procedurally generated realms and facing epic bosses. Announced in 2023, the game underwent closed betas in 2024 before its early access debut on Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Game Pass.
Development Philosophy[edit | edit source]
Thunder Lotus Games emphasizes original intellectual properties that resonate with its team’s creative vision. The studio prides itself on hand-drawn art, a hallmark across all its titles, which lends a unique, painterly quality to its worlds. Its games often explore profound themes—mortality, redemption, and resilience—wrapped in accessible yet innovative mechanics. Community engagement is central to its process, with crowdfunding, beta testing, and player feedback shaping each release. For 33 Immortals, Thunder Lotus expanded its technical expertise to tackle online multiplayer, a departure from its single-player roots.
Impact and Recognition[edit | edit source]
Since its founding, Thunder Lotus has carved a niche in the indie gaming landscape. Spiritfarer stands out as a cultural touchstone, winning awards like the 2021 Canadian Game Awards’ Best Narrative and garnering praise for its emotional resonance. The studio’s growth from a Kickstarter project to a developer with millions of players worldwide highlights its ability to balance artistic integrity with commercial success. Its shift toward multiplayer with 33 Immortals has sparked interest in how Thunder Lotus will adapt its storytelling and art to a broader, cooperative format.
Future[edit | edit source]
As of March 2025, Thunder Lotus continues to refine 33 Immortals through its early access phase, with plans to incorporate player input for a full release. The studio has hinted at exploring additional projects, though no specifics have been announced. With a decade of experience and a growing fanbase, Thunder Lotus remains committed to delivering “beautifully powerful” games that captivate and inspire.