Studio Principles

We build games for players — with vision, integrity, and respect.

Below are the values that guide how we design, ship, and support our games and our community. Each principle includes a concise tagline and an expandable explanation.

Nuance Foundry Values

Gameplay is Everything

If it doesn’t make the game better, it doesn’t belong.
Our foundation and first priority.
At Nuance Foundry, our top priority is to create unique, memorable, and—most importantly—fun experiences. Every decision we make, big or small, is driven by one question: does this make the game better for players? Our studio exists only if our players love what we create—this is our foundation and our top priority.

Never Design to Maximize Revenue

We make games for players, not for shareholders.
Fairness over exploitation.
Games should be enjoyed equally by everyone who plays them, regardless of their ability to pay. We firmly reject modern monetization practices such as microtransactions, loot boxes, pay-to-win upgrades, purchasable in-game currencies, premium battle passes, or paid early access. Attempting to squeeze as much money as possible from the pockets of our players goes against everything we stand for. Instead, we commit to proving that great games can succeed without predatory design.

Games Are an Art Form

It might not please everyone, and that’s ok.
Vision first, committee second.
Games are a collaborative effort, but the best art isn’t made by committee. We welcome ideas from anywhere and foster open discussions, but ultimately, we stay true to our artistic vision. By trying to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one—so we make the games we believe in, and invite players to join us if it resonates with them.

No Politics, No Agendas

We tell human stories, not partisan ones.
Themes only in service of the vision.
The most powerful gaming experiences connect on a fundamental human level. While our games may explore challenging themes, we do not serve any specific agendas or insert content that doesn’t fit our artistic vision. Art asks questions—it does not dictate answers. We leave space for players to reflect and find their own meaning.

We’re All Humans and Our Time Matters

The best games respect your time and health.
No crunch, no time-wasting mechanics.
Great games are made by passionate, healthy, and well-rested people. We are firmly opposed to overtime and crunch culture prevalent in our industry. Likewise, we respect players’ time: grind, daily check-in rewards, and other time-wasting mechanics don’t belong in our games. Caring for our people and our players isn’t just right—it directly shapes the quality of our games.

Transparency Builds Trust

Communicate openly unless it’s to surprise and delight.
Clarity first; secrets only for joy.
We are honest with our players and our people about our successes, our failures, and our ambitions. We know we are not perfect nor do we strive to be. We share openly when it matters, and we keep secrets only to surprise and delight players.

Always Be Better

Everyone and everything can get better every day.
Continuous learning and iteration.
We embrace learning, innovation, and growth every day. Nothing is ever truly finished or perfect, and each step forward is a chance to improve—our company, our people, our games, and the experiences we create for players.

Everyone Has a Voice

And they shouldn’t be silenced.
Respectful, constructive discourse.
Nuance Foundry includes people from all walks of life and we ensure that every voice can be heard with respect and without being silenced. Ideas are judged on their merit, and people on their character and contributions. People and Players are expected to communicate with care and to understand that open, constructive discourse is essential to our creativity, our games and our communities.

Do the Right Thing

Integrity matters—at work, in play, and in our communities.
Act with respect and responsibility.
We treat others as we want to be treated. For our team: listen with care, work hard, act with respect, and take responsibility. For our players: play fair and play with integrity. Harassment, cheating, or harmful behavior is never tolerated.