CI Games Secures $32M Loan to Self-Publish Lords of the Fallen 2
CI Games has secured a $32 million syndicated loan from Erste Bank Polska and Bank Ochrony Srodowiska to fully fund the completion, launch, and debt refinancing of Lords of the Fallen 2. The game will be self-published across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in early 2027, with an official release date set for December 2026. Founder Marek Tyminski committed his entire shareholding to secure the financing without diluting existing shareholders.
CI Games has secured a $32 million syndicated loan from Erste Bank Polska and Bank Ochrony Srodowiska to fully fund the development, launch, and debt refinancing of Lords of the Fallen 2. The financing was finalized on October 30, 2026, with the game now slated for release in December 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a full rollout expected in the first quarter of 2027. This move marks a pivotal shift from earlier plans, as CI Games had previously delayed the title to “further refine and strengthen the overall experience” and terminated its exclusive publishing deal with Epic Games in April 2026—though that decision was not publicly disclosed until May. The funding allows the studio to self-publish without external publisher involvement or equity dilution. Founder Marek Tyminski personally committed his entire shareholding as collateral, ensuring no new shares were issued and existing shareholders remained unaffected. The loan matures in August 2027, with repayment expected primarily from game sales post-launch.
The decision to self-publish reflects a strategic pivot toward greater creative control and financial independence, particularly after the earlier reliance on Epic’s platform and the associated revenue-sharing model. Tyminski’s personal stake underscores his confidence in the game’s commercial potential and his long-term vision for CI Games. The broader context includes industry trends where developers increasingly seek to retain ownership of IP a
The self-publishing of Lords of the Fallen 2 with internal financing could signal a broader shift in how mid-tier developers navigate financial risk and creative autonomy in an increasingly competitive market. By avoiding equity dilution and publisher control, CI Games may be positioning itself as a model for studios seeking independence—similar to how CD Projekt Red maintained control over The Witcher series despite early financial struggles. This approach could inspire other developers to pursue direct-to-consumer models or bank-backed funding instead of relying on platform exclusives or venture capital. However, the success of this strategy hinges on strong sales performance, which remains uncertain given the crowded 2027 release window and consumer fatigue with Souls-like titles. If Lords of the Fallen 2 underperforms, it could deter similar moves by other studios, reinforcing reliance on traditional publishing partnerships. The outcome may also influence how banks assess risk in g