EST. 2004LOC. USASTATUS Independent

Think
Ahead.
have fun.

A small, truly independent studio making deliberate, authentic and fun tactical games, founded by a veteran of the original Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon franchises.

The studio →

01 / The Studio

Small team.
Veteran instincts.

BlackFoot Studios was founded in 2004 by John Sonedecker, one of the developers on the original Rainbow Six, Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear and Ghost Recon games at Red Storm Entertainment.

We set out to fill the void left by the tactical games of the late ’90s and early 2000s, when realistic, deliberate and team-based play was the whole point. We are 100% self-funded, which means we answer to our players and to the work, and nobody else.

2004

Founded

United States

Home base

100%

Self-funded

Indie

No outside investors

02 / In development

Something new
is in the works.

Our next project is a single-player focused experience, built on the same commitment to authentic tactical gameplay we are known for. We are keeping the details close for now. When there is something worth showing, you will hear it here first.

Project XXXXXXXXXX

Mode Single player focus

Status In development

Release XXXXXX

03 / Philosophy

Take your time.
Think ahead.

Authenticity first

Authenticity is the design brief, not a feature. If it would not work that way in the real world, it has to earn its place in the game.

Deliberate by design

We build for players who plan before they move. Patience, preparation and good decisions are rewarded. Recklessness is not.

Independent by choice

Self-funded from day one. No publisher deadlines shaping the design, just a small team making the games we want to play.

04 / Legacy title

Ground
Branch

Originally created by BlackFoot Studios
Owned and published by MicroProse

Genre Tactical first-person shooter

Early Access 2018

Version 1.0 July 2026

GROUND BRANCH is the tactical first-person shooter BlackFoot Studios originally created and developed, built as a return to the realism of the classic tactical shooters.

It entered Steam Early Access in 2018 and built a dedicated community of tactical players. GROUND BRANCH and its intellectual property are now owned by MicroProse, which publishes the game and manages its ongoing development and community. Version 1.0 launched on Steam in July 2026.

For news, support and community, please visit the official GROUND BRANCH channels run by MicroProse. BlackFoot Studios no longer manages the game.

groundbranch.com →

View on Steam →

GROUND BRANCH and the GROUND BRANCH logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of MicroProse Software Pty Ltd, used here for reference only.

05 / Contact