As the horror market continues to grow, this partnership provides a blueprint for how traditional houses can diversify their portfolios by securing rights to high-engagement digital properties.

The Strategic Alliance

Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal (GWF) has announced a high-profile publishing partnership with Bloober Team, a global leader in psychological horror gaming.

This collaboration aims to transpose the immersive atmospheres of titles such as Layers of Fear and Cronos: The New Dawn into the literary world.

The first title, penned by acclaimed author Marta Bijan, is slated for a late 2026 release under the Uroboros imprint.

Monetising Intellectual Property Across Borders

For publishing professionals, the crux of this deal lies in its global scalability. GWF is not merely looking at the domestic Polish market; the agreement includes provisions for international sub-licensing and multi-format distribution, including audiobooks.

By leveraging Bloober Team’s established international fanbase – further bolstered by their recent success with the Silent Hill 2 remake – GWF is positioned to export Polish horror literature to a global audience.

Market Context and Consumer Synergy

The initiative taps into the “transmedia storytelling” trend, where narrative depth is added to gaming universes through novels. According to industry data, the horror genre has seen a resurgence in the “New Adult” and “Genre Fiction” sectors.

This partnership mirrors successful international models, such as the Assassin’s Creed or Stranger Things publishing programmes, which serve to maintain brand engagement between major game releases.

Broadening the Narrative Horizon

Piotr Babieno, CEO of Bloober Team, emphasised that these books are not simple novelisations but expansions of the lore.

For publishers, this represents a sophisticated approach to IP management: using literary talent to explore psychological depth that gameplay mechanics might limit.

Marta Bijan’s involvement signals a commitment to literary quality, ensuring the titles appeal to bibliophiles as much as gamers.

The View From The Beach

This move reflects a broader shift in the Polish publishing landscape towards “cultural convergence.” Bloober Team, recently valued for its creative excellence by partners like KONAMI, brings a “pre-sold” audience to GWF.

As the horror market continues to grow, this partnership provides a blueprint for how traditional houses can diversify their portfolios by securing rights to high-engagement digital properties.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.