Star Fox Developer Says Velan Studios Won Nintendo’s Trust by Keeping Promises and Exceeding Expectations, Helping It Land the New Star Fox Game

Velan Studios earned Nintendo’s trust through a long-term commitment to delivering on its promises and exceeding expectations, according to co-founder Guha Bala. In an interview with Christopher Dring for The Game Business, Bala explained how the studio’s longstanding industry relationships helped it secure opportunities to work on major Nintendo franchises, including the new Star Fox game.

“You make promises and you keep them, and you try to exceed expectations,”

Guha Bala said. He added that consistently following this approach helps build trust and creates opportunities for future collaborations.

The interview offers insight into how Velan secured a place among the relatively small number of independent Western studios entrusted with Nintendo’s established properties.

VELAN STUDIOS’ NINTENDO RELATIONSHIP SPANS MULTIPLE GENERATIONS

Guha Bala traced the relationship back to work on Spider-Man for Game Boy Color in 1998, before Velan Studios was founded in 2016. The founders previously established Vicarious Visions and worked on franchises including Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk’s, Spider-Man, and Skylanders.

Their collaboration with Nintendo continued through projects such as Skylanders SuperChargers, which incorporated Nintendo characters, and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, released in 2020.

Karthik Bala described the Nintendo partnership as

“very special and unique,”

noting that the company maintains high expectations for the games it approves. He explained that delivering games Nintendo appreciated helped open the door to further conversations and collaborations.

The new Star Fox game for Switch 2 represents the latest result of that relationship. Nintendo’s official game announcement describes a revamped adventure featuring updated visuals, space combat, and new and returning gameplay modes.

HOW VELAN BALANCES ESTABLISHED FRANCHISES WITH ORIGINAL IDEAS

Working with Nintendo is also part of Velan’s broader strategy for remaining competitive as a mid-sized developer. Rather than relying exclusively on expensive blockbuster productions or smaller independent releases, the studio combines larger projects built around established intellectual properties with lower-budget experimental games.

Karthik Bala explained to The Game Business that licensed franchises can provide access to an existing audience, while smaller projects allow developers to explore unusual gameplay ideas without committing to the same production scale.

The approach reflects the challenges facing studios that operate between independent developers and major AAA companies. Velan has faced setbacks, including the closure of Knockout City’s public servers in 2023, despite the game attracting 12 million players. Its founders have since emphasized shorter development cycles and a mix of projects to manage financial risk.

The interview also highlights why Nintendo’s confidence matters to Velan. Maintaining a relationship with a major publisher requires more than delivering one successful game. As Guha Bala’s comments suggest, a consistent track record can create opportunities to work on valuable franchises over time.

With Star Fox now among its Nintendo projects, Velan’s history illustrates how long-term partnerships can help experienced independent studios secure opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.