Ronald Kaulbach (Inin Games) Discusses the Return of Simon the Sorcerer

GamesMarkt: How happy are you with the launch of Simon the Sorcerer Origins? According to SteamDB data, the launch appeared to be rather weak. What do you think the reason for this might be?

Ronald Kaulbach: "We're very happy with the initial launch. Point-and-click adventures traditionally build their audience over time, and Simon the Sorcerer Origins is already showing all the signs of being a strong long-term seller. What matters most to us is the outstanding response from players and the press. Everyone who actually tries the game is extremely positive about the experience, which confirms the quality we aimed for. Based on that, we're confident the title will continue to generate healthy, steady sales worldwide, and we already consider the launch a success."

Ronald Kaulbach is Label Director at Inin Games, a retro and arcade video games publisher and label of United Games Entertainment. He has over 25 years' experience in the international games industry, including a position as Marketing and Brand Director at Ubisoft Blue Byte, where he was responsible for major brands such as Anno and The Settlers. At Inin, he leads the label's strategic direction.

GamesMarkt: What are the game's chances of becoming a long-term seller?

Ronald Kaulbach: "The chances are excellent. The combination of strong player reviews, very positive press coverage, and a high-quality production gives us a lot of confidence. New players who discover the game are immediately met with enthusiastic feedback from the community, which naturally drives conversion. We're convinced that Simon the Sorcerer Origins has all the ingredients to become a modern classic in the point-and-click genre and will continue to sell consistently over a long period of time."

GamesMarkt: What aspects of the game resonated well with audiences and the press?

Ronald Kaulbach: "Players and reviewers consistently highlight the writing, the humour, and the voice acting as major strengths. The new art style has also been very well received, striking a balance between nostalgia and a modern presentation. Puzzle design, world-building, and the way classic point-and-click elements are combined with more contemporary interactions have also been praised. Overall, people feel it’s an authentic, lovingly crafted return of a well-known classic universe."

GamesMarkt: Which markets are the strongest for Simon the Sorcerer Origins?

Ronald Kaulbach: "As expected, the strongest territories are the traditional point-and-click markets: Germany, the UK, and the United States. But we're also seeing solid numbers across other European countries and a healthy worldwide distribution. The performance is broadly in line with the genre's established patterns."

GamesMarkt: How difficult was it to secure the original voice actor, Erik Borner, for the game? How important was it to have this identifiable voice actor for Simon, as well as Chris Barrie for the English version?

Ronald Kaulbach: "Both actors were immediately enthusiastic about the project as the idea of returning to the character clearly resonated with them. For us, authenticity and respect for gaming history are core values, and original voice talent plays a significant role in that. Bringing back those iconic voices wasn’t just a nice addition; it was part of our philosophy to honor the legacy of the series. With the game’s quality and vision, it was easy to get both performers on board."

GamesMarkt: What was the experience of working with Smallthing Studios, the Italy-based developers of the game?

Ronald Kaulbach: "Smallthing Studios did an outstanding job. They are a passionate team with strong artistic talent and a deep understanding of the Simon franchise and its heritage. Their commitment was visible from day one, and the project benefitted enormously from their storytelling, art direction, and technical craftsmanship. We're grateful for their contribution and for the close collaboration across production and creative asset development. It is a genuinely great partnership."

GamesMarkt: What are Inin and United Games Entertainment's future plans for the brand?

Ronald Kaulbach: "Our full focus right now is on supporting Simon the Sorcerer Origins. We're in ongoing discussions with Smallthing about possible directions for the future, but there is nothing we want to announce at this stage. The Simon universe certainly offers many opportunities, and we see strong potential — but for now, we're concentrating on doing justice to this release and letting the audience enjoy it. Stay tuned."

GamesMarkt: Beyond Simon the Sorcerer: How is United Games Entertainment positioned for the future?

Ronald Kaulbach: "Speaking strictly for Inin, we're very well positioned. Our 2026 lineup is shaping up strongly, and with Shenmue III Enhanced already announced, we’ve shown that we will continue to work with major IPs alongside our heritage-focused classics. Several other projects for 2026 and beyond are already in the pipeline but not yet announced. We remain committed to our core mission: connecting the past with the present and bringing iconic games into the modern era for both long-time fans and new audiences. More details will follow — stay tuned."