Expanding a Game Franchise into Publishing

Challenge

Extend June's Journey beyond the game by translating its established characters, world, and storytelling into the franchise's first physical novel, creating an authentic experience for existing fans while introducing the IP to a broader audience.

Approach

The writing team collaborated with a bestselling mystery author to create an original prequel story. Working with publishing partner Titan Books, we adapted the franchise's distinctive storytelling, characters, and atmosphere into a compelling standalone experience. I also collaborated with marketing and cross-functional teams to coordinate the novel's promotion, culminating in a themed in-game month that aligned the game's narrative, art, and product offerings with the book's launch.

Outcome

Published by Titan Books, the novel became a USA Today bestseller, marking a successful expansion of June's Journey into traditional publishing. The launch demonstrated the franchise's potential to engage audiences beyond the game and established a foundation for extending its storytelling into new formats.

Selected Press