Hacksaw Gaming has announced that it has strengthened its association with Kitsune Studios by buying a stake in the business and getting the option to buy more shares over time. The move, which was announced in a press release on November 20, 2025, builds on their current partnership through Hacksaw's own distribution and integration platform, OpenRGS.
Kitsune has been operational on the OpenRGS system since March 2025, and by November, three titles have been launched, with a fourth planned for December.
Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw's Operational CEO, said, "Evolving our relationships with promising studios is a core strategy of Hacksaw, and we look forward to working more closely with the talented team at Kitsune Studios".
Getting to Know The Players
Hacksaw Gaming
Hacksaw Gaming is a B2B content provider in the iGaming industry that specialises in high-volatility video slots, digital scratchcards, and instant-win games. It was founded in 2018 and is based in Malta.
The company has aggressively expanded into regulated markets since Marcus Cordes became CEO in 2018 after joining as COO earlier that year. It has gotten licenses in places including Malta, the UK, Sweden, and numerous U.S. states.
Hacksaw's OpenRGS platform is a big part of what sets it apart. It is the backend engine for its own games and a place for partner studios to share their games.
OpenRGS: The Engine that Drives Growth
Hacksaw calls OpenRGS a "solution like no other." It is a framework for remote gaming servers that lets third-party developers use Hacksaw's technology, distribution network, and compliance infrastructure.
Studios can get a lot of benefits by using OpenRGS to connect:
- Access to a distribution network in more than 20 regulated marketplaces,
- Less friction when integrating because the frontend framework and game client architecture are already in place,
- A gaming engine model that can be changed to support its own math and mechanics or Hacksaw's backend as a service.
The fact that Hacksaw is trying to buy a stake in a studio that is already utilising OpenRGS shows that the company is moving away from simple supplier agreements and towards deeper partnerships.
Studios of Kitsune
Kitsune Studios is a game development studio in Manchester, UK. It is known for being a creative producer of new systems and vivid visuals. It was announced before that it would join OpenRGS as the sixth studio partner in April 2025.
By making an equity deal, Hacksaw not only ties Kitsune more firmly to its ecosystem, but it also puts itself in a position to make money if the studio does well.
Strategic Imperatives for Hacksaw and Kitsune
This collaboration getting stronger is a sign of various strategic needs:
- Control and alignment: By buying shares, Hacksaw makes the studio's goals more in line with its own growth, which might help it get more margin and deal with competition better,
- Diversifying the content pipeline: Hacksaw can grow its content library and have a steady release schedule by having studio partners built into its platform,
- Scalability: OpenRGS lets third-party studios get their products to market faster. Locking in a promising studio like Kitsune helps ensure future content,
- Market momentum that is controlled: Hacksaw is in a good position to take advantage of global licensing trends and operator demand because OpenRGS already includes regulatory compliance and market access.
Marcus Cordes, CEO of Hacksaw Gaming's Operations:
Hacksaw's main goal is to build stronger ties with prospective studios. We are excited to work more closely with the outstanding team at Kitsune Studios.
Future Impact on the iGaming Ecosystem
As the iGaming market gets more competitive and full of content, partnerships and platform, led tactics like this one are likely to become the most popular. Hacksaw Gaming's partnership with Kitsune Studios through OpenRGS strengthens its role as a distributor and platform provider. It also gives Hacksaw Gaming a stronger position in development and creative ownership. As the fourth game from Kitsune gets ready to come out in December, operators and other studios will be keeping a close eye on how well this model works in real life.