Avantgarden
Avantgarden is an Italian video-game development studio in Milan, formerly known as Ovosonico.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Avantgarden is an Italian video-game development studio based in Milan and owned by Digital Bros. The company was established in 2012 under the name Ovosonico by Massimo Guarini and Gianni Ricciardi. Guarini had previously worked in senior creative and directing roles on projects associated with Grasshopper Manufacture and Ubisoft, including Shadows of the Damned and Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, and had production credits connected with the Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six franchises. Ricciardi was a composer and audio director who had also worked with Ubisoft and other game developers. The studio was created after Guarini returned from Japan to Italy. Having spent more than fifteen years in the games industry, he sought an independent working environment and a different creative direction. His stated approach emphasized using games to explore human experiences and emotional relationships rather than focusing exclusively on conventional gamer-oriented design. Ovosonico initially operated from a villa near Lake Varese, giving the studio a distinctive Italian identity while it developed projects for international platforms. In March 2013, Ovosonico announced a development partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for a new intellectual property. The agreement made Ovosonico the first Italian game studio to work with Sony, and led to Murasaki Baby, a stylized puzzle-platform game designed for PlayStation Vita. Sony presented the project at Gamescom in 2013, and the game was released in North America and Europe in September 2014. The studio later developed Last Day of June, an emotionally focused narrative adventure released in 2017. The game continued Guarini's interest in intimate storytelling and human connection, while expanding the studio's presence beyond handheld development. In 2018, Ovosonico moved its operations to Milan. Digital Bros first became a significant shareholder in September 2015, investing €1.44 million and acquiring all of Ricciardi's shares, which gave the company a 49 percent stake in Ovosonico. Ricciardi left the studio after the transaction to establish WANT Musik, an independent game-audio production company. In March 2020, Digital Bros acquired the remaining interest in Ovosonico. Following the acquisition, Guarini departed and retained the Ovosonico name through his company Guarini Design S.r.l. The Milan studio, including approximately twenty employees, was rebranded as Avantgarden and placed under the management of Digital Bros executive Abramo “Rami” Galante. Avantgarden's documented development portfolio includes Murasaki Baby, Last Day of June, and the 2024 remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. The studio therefore represents the continuation of the former Ovosonico development team within Digital Bros, with a portfolio centered on authored, narrative-led and emotionally oriented games. Publicly available reference material provides limited information about its later organizational structure, commercial performance, broader product pipeline, or standalone financial reporting.
History
Avantgarden originated as Ovosonico, an independent Italian game studio founded in 2012 by Massimo Guarini and Gianni Ricciardi. Guarini returned to Italy after working in Japan and contributing to projects at Grasshopper Manufacture and Ubisoft. His previous work included directing Shadows of the Damned and Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, along with production work related to the Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six series. Ricciardi brought experience as a composer and audio director for Ubisoft and other developers. The founders established Ovosonico in a villa near Lake Varese. Guarini described his creative interest as an attempt to connect with people through games rather than simply designing for an audience defined as gamers. This outlook shaped the studio’s early identity and its focus on expressive, character-centered experiences. In 2013, Ovosonico announced a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to develop a new intellectual property. The relationship was notable because Ovosonico became the first Italian studio to work with Sony. The resulting game, Murasaki Baby, was announced at Gamescom 2013 and released for PlayStation Vita in North America and Europe in September 2014. Digital Bros became involved in the company in September 2015. It invested €1.44 million, acquired all of Ricciardi’s shares and received a 49 percent stake. Ricciardi left Ovosonico and later founded WANT Musik, a separate game-audio production studio. Ovosonico continued development and released Last Day of June in 2017, a narrative adventure that extended the studio’s interest in emotionally focused storytelling. In 2018, the company moved to Milan. Digital Bros acquired the remaining ownership interest in March 2020, making Ovosonico part of the Digital Bros group. Guarini then left the company and retained the Ovosonico brand through Guarini Design S.r.l. The original studio team, reported as approximately twenty employees, was renamed Avantgarden and managed by Abramo “Rami” Galante. Avantgarden’s documented portfolio includes Murasaki Baby, Last Day of June and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake, released in 2024. The available reference material does not establish detailed information about the studio’s current independent branding, additional unreleased projects, revenue, employee growth or platform strategy. Its known history nevertheless shows a transition from an independent, founder-led studio into a Digital Bros-owned development operation while preserving a focus on narrative and emotionally oriented games.
- 2024
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
[1]Avantgarden is credited as a developer of the remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
- 2020
Ovosonico becomes Avantgarden
[1]Digital Bros acquires the remaining stake, Guarini departs, and the retained studio team is rebranded Avantgarden.
- 2018
Studio moves to Milan
[1]Ovosonico relocates its operations to Milan.
- 2017
Last Day of June launches
[1]Ovosonico releases the narrative adventure Last Day of June.
- 2015
Digital Bros takes a 49 percent stake
[1]Digital Bros invests €1.44 million, acquires Ricciardi’s shares and becomes a minority shareholder.
- 2014
Murasaki Baby launches
[1]Murasaki Baby is released in North America and Europe for PlayStation Vita.
- 2013
Sony development partnership announced
[1]Ovosonico announces a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for a new intellectual property.
- 2012
Ovosonico is founded
[1]Massimo Guarini and Gianni Ricciardi establish Ovosonico in Italy.
Products and positioning
An Italian game-development studio associated with authored, emotionally driven and human-centered interactive experiences.
Puzzle-platform video game · 2014
Murasaki Baby
Murasaki Baby is Ovosonico’s debut documented game and was developed for PlayStation Vita in partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The game uses a stylized visual presentation and platforming and puzzle mechanics designed around the handheld system’s interaction features. It was announced at Gamescom in 2013 and released in North America and Europe in September 2014.
Narrative adventure game · 2017
Last Day of June
Last Day of June is an emotionally focused narrative adventure released by Ovosonico in 2017. It centers on an intimate human story and reflects Massimo Guarini’s stated interest in creating games concerned with human connection. The title followed Murasaki Baby and helped establish the studio’s reputation for authored, relationship-driven interactive experiences.
Adventure game remake · 2024
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a modern remake of the earlier adventure game and is among the titles credited to Avantgarden. Its inclusion demonstrates the studio’s post-rebrand work on an established intellectual property rather than only original projects.
Brand decisions
2020
Digital Bros acquires the remaining Ovosonico stakeM&ABackground
Digital Bros already held a 49 percent interest in Ovosonico from its 2015 investment.
Action taken
Digital Bros purchased the remaining interest and obtained full ownership of the studio.
Aftermath
Massimo Guarini left and retained the Ovosonico name through Guarini Design S.r.l. The former Ovosonico team was renamed Avantgarden and managed by Abramo “Rami” Galante.
2020
Studio rebrand from Ovosonico to AvantgardenStrategyBackground
The completion of Digital Bros’ acquisition coincided with the departure of founder Massimo Guarini, who retained the former Ovosonico brand.
Action taken
The approximately twenty-person Milan studio was rebranded Avantgarden under Digital Bros management.
Aftermath
Avantgarden became the operating identity of the acquired development team, while Ovosonico continued as a retained brand associated with Guarini Design S.r.l.
2015
Digital Bros makes a minority investmentM&ABackground
Ovosonico was an independent studio founded by Guarini and Ricciardi, while Digital Bros was seeking an ownership position in the developer.
Action taken
Digital Bros invested €1.44 million, acquired Ricciardi’s shares and took a 49 percent stake. Ricciardi left the company after the transaction.
Aftermath
Ovosonico continued operating under its existing name and later released Last Day of June.
Digital Bros investment. €1.44 million investment; 49 percent stake (September 2015)
Recent events
- 2024
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake released[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Avantgarden is credited among the developers of the remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
- 2020
Digital Bros acquires the remaining Ovosonico interest and the studio becomes Avantgarden[1]
M&A · Leadership change · Other
Digital Bros purchased the remainder of Ovosonico. Massimo Guarini subsequently left and retained the Ovosonico name, while the Milan team was rebranded Avantgarden under Digital Bros management.
- 2018
Ovosonico relocates to Milan[1]
Other
The studio moved its operations from the Lake Varese area to Milan.
- 2017
Ovosonico releases Last Day of June[1]
Product launch
The studio released Last Day of June, a narrative adventure centered on loss, memory and human relationships.
- 2015
Digital Bros acquires a minority stake in Ovosonico[1]
M&A
Digital Bros invested €1.44 million, acquired Gianni Ricciardi’s shares and obtained a 49 percent interest in Ovosonico.
- 2014
Murasaki Baby released for PlayStation Vita[1]
Product launch
Ovosonico released its first documented title in North America and Europe for PlayStation Vita.
- 2013
Ovosonico partners with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe[1]
Other
The Italian studio announced a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to develop a new intellectual property, later revealed as Murasaki Baby.
Sources1 sources
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