Why Gungrounds Is Making Murder Book

The studio history, change of direction, public funding and Cannes selection that form the verified context for Gungrounds making Murder Book.

By Murder Book Editorial TeamPublished 16 September 2026Updated 16 September 2026

Murder Book's official press materials do not include a detailed statement of why Gungrounds is making the game, so this page does not guess at the team's motivations. What can be verified is the context around the decision. Gungrounds is an independent studio founded in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2016, which began by developing and porting Flash games and later made Serious Sam: Tormental. Murder Book is a clear change of direction: a narrative-driven interrogation game "inspired by real police footage and psychological breakdowns," with cases designed for 5–10-minute sessions. The project has been co-funded by the EU's Creative Europe MEDIA programme, supported by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), and selected for the Creative Europe MEDIA stand at the Marché du Film in Cannes in 2026. This page sets out that record and marks where the team's own words are still needed.

Key takeaways

Gungrounds (company Macanga Games) was founded in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2016.
The studio's history includes Flash games, work with established publishers and developers, and Serious Sam: Tormental.
Murder Book moves the studio toward narrative, interrogation-focused design.
The project is co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA and supported by HAVC.
HAVC announced in April 2026 that Murder Book was selected for the Creative Europe MEDIA stand at the Marché du Film in Cannes.

Where does Gungrounds come from?

Gungrounds was established in 2016 in Zagreb, Croatia. According to the studio's website, it began by developing and porting Flash games for portals including Armor Games, Newgrounds and Kongregate. Over time it worked with or for companies including Devolver Digital, Croteam, Mad Head Games, Miniclip and Fumi Games.

Its original work includes Serious Sam: Tormental. The studio is also developing Immunauts alongside Murder Book. The Gungrounds website describes the studio as specialising in shooter games and level editor tools.

For the people behind the project, see Meet the Team Behind Murder Book.

How is Murder Book different from the studio's earlier work?

Set against that history, Murder Book stands out. The studio's public track record leans toward action and shooter games. Murder Book, by contrast, is described in its press kit as a narrative-driven interrogation game, with a focus on "real interrogation behaviors: Fabrication, Avoidance, Narrative Gaps, Emotional Leakage, and more."

Development screenshots show systems built around conversation rather than action:

an in-game casebook of suspect behaviours;
an evidence board for linking statements;
a technique menu with Build Trust, Futility, Bluffing, Baiting, Demonstration and Confrontation;
a branching case map with achievement endings and a completion percentage.

Those screens are walked through in How Murder Book Turns Interrogation Into Gameplay.

In general terms, a move like this is not unusual for independent studios. Experience with tight game loops, tools and platform work can carry over into very different genres. Whether that applies here is for the team to say.

What does the credited team suggest about the project's focus?

The official press kit credits Sinisa Bahun and Matija Vigato with storytelling, game design and level design, alongside Kristian Macanga (game design, development and programming), Andrej Mrkonjic (programming), Antonio Villamandos (concept art) and Noemy De Guzman (marketing). Dedicated storytelling credits fit a game whose challenge lies in the stories suspects tell.

The press kit also says the game is inspired by real police footage and psychological interviews. How that inspiration shaped the project is covered in How Real Police Footage Inspired Murder Book.

What does public funding tell us about Murder Book?

Murder Book has received support from two public bodies:

Supporter	What is confirmed
Creative Europe MEDIA (European Union)	Murder Book is listed in the 2023 results of the call for the development of video games and immersive content, under Macanga Games
Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC)	HAVC's Games Croatia brochure lists Murder Book among 2025 development-supported projects

Funding amounts are not covered on this page.

Public development support does not explain a studio's personal reasons for making a game. It does show that the project was put forward to, and selected by, external funding programmes that support European audiovisual and games work. For the dated record, see The Development of Murder Book.

What does the Cannes selection show?

On 20 April 2026, HAVC announced that Murder Book had been selected for the Creative Europe MEDIA stand at the Marché du Film, the market held during the Cannes Film Festival from 12 to 20 May 2026.

The announcement confirms the selection; it is not a statement of the studio's motivations. It does place Murder Book in a setting where games meet film and screen storytelling, which is consistent with how the game is described: narrative-driven, and inspired by real police footage.

What is Gungrounds making, and when will it be out?

Murder Book is an interrogation game in which players examine unreliable stories, behavioural changes, narrative gaps, avoidance and contradictions, in cases designed for 5–10-minute sessions. It is in development for PC (Steam) and mobile, with release currently planned for the end of Q2 2027. For an overview, read What Is Murder Book?, and for release updates see the Murder Book release and development FAQ.