Versus Evil Explained

Versus Evil LLC
Type:Subsidiary
Founder:Steve Escalante
Location City:Baltimore, Maryland
Location Country:US
Key People:Steve Escalante
Lance James
Francis Fincke
Products:The Banner Saga series
Parent:tinyBuild (2021–2023)
Subsid:Red Cerberus

Versus Evil LLC was an American video game publisher[1] founded by former ZeniMax Online Studios marketing director Steve Escalante to focus on the independent video game market.[2] Versus Evil was bought by another publisher, tinyBuild, in November 2021. In December 2023, all Versus Evil staff were laid off, days before Christmas.

History

Versus Evil was founded in September 2013.[3] On January 14, 2014, Versus Evil launched Stoic's role-playing strategy game, The Banner Saga, which received praise as one of the top indie titles of 2014.[4] [5] Versus Evil continued to spread its distribution throughout the globe by launching Dragons and Titans,[6] a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game, and the Steam Early Access version of Habitat,[7] which it expected to launch at retail in 2015. In August 2014 at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, Versus Evil announced several key developer partnerships including Tangrin Studios, based in the Netherlands, who were working on an action role-playing title, Kyn,[8] and SwordTales, a Brazilian indie developer, who were working on their first video game, Toren,[9] a puzzle platform adventure game. Also part of this announcement was the sequel to the third-person action game Afro Samurai, called ,[10] [11] being developed by indie developer Redacted Studios. In September 2014, Versus Evil launched their first mobile title by bringing The Banner Saga to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.[12]

On February 8, 2021, the Nintendo Switch port of Pillars of Eternity was abandoned by Versus Evil while still containing significant bugs, with no refunds offered.[13] [14]

In November 2021, tinyBuild acquired Versus Evil and Red Cerberus.[15] In December 2023, tinyBuild reported that it had settled a legal dispute with Versus Evil general manager Steve Escalante, head of production James Lance, and previous owner Stall Proof LLC, who had filed a claim that tinyBuild had failed to make "timely capital contributions" to the studio. Escalante had also separately claimed that $3 million in shares and options had not been paid. TinyBuild settled the matter for $3.5 million plus legal costs. Escalante subsequently left the company.[16] On December 22, the entire Versus Evil staff was laid off.[17] [18] All Versus Evil releases, including upcoming titles, were moved over to tinyBuild.

In August 2024, Steve Escalante and Lance James announced the formation of Digital Bandidos, a new publisher aimed at funding indie games and acquiring new and established intellectual property.[19]

Games published

Year Game Developer Platform(s)
2013 Microsoft Windows, macOS
2014 The Banner Saga Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Tower of Guns Terrible Posture Games Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Dragons and Titans Wyrmbyte Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Habitat: A Thousand Generations in Orbit 4GencyMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4
2015 Toren Swordtales Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4
Guild of Dungeoneering Gambrinous Microsoft Windows
Kyn Tangrin Entertainment Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Armikrog Pencil Test Studios Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Skyshine's Bedlam Skyshine Games Microsoft Windows, macOS
Afro Samurai 2 Redacted Studios Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
2016 The Banner Saga 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Armikrog Pencil Test Studios Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017 Faeria Abrakam Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Antihero Tim Conkling Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Let Them ComeTuatara Games Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2018 Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
MothergunshipGrip Digital
Terrible Posture Games
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Banner Saga 3Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2019 At Sundown: Shots in the Dark Mild Beast Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Pillars of Eternity: Complete EditionNintendo Switch
Into the Dead 2 PikPok
CardpocalypseGambrinous Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, iOS
YagaBreadcrumbs Interactive Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS
2020 Wintermoor Tactics Club EVC Games Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2021 JumpalaYokereba Microsoft Windows, MacOS
HolodriveBitCake Studio Microsoft Windows
Hitchhiker: A Mystery GameMad About Pandas Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS
RunWild Entertainment Microsoft Windows
SockventureNighthouse Games Microsoft Windows
UnMetalUnepic Entertainment Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
First Class Trouble Invisible Walls Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Hand of MerlinMicrosoft Windows
2022 EvilleVestGames Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2023 Stray SoulsJukai Studio Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2024 Astor: Blade of the Monolith C2 Game Studio Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Lil' GuardsmanHilltop Studios Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Drop Bear Bytes Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
Tamarak TrailYarrow Games Microsoft Windows

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Banner Saga publisher Versus Evil sets up shop. Brendan Sinclair. GI Biz. 3 March 2014 . 2014-03-03.
  2. Versus Evil: Publishers are still relevant to indies . Craig Chapple . . 13 March 2014 . 2014-03-13.
  3. Web site: 2023-12-22 . Versus Evil to shut down [Update] ]. 2023-12-27 . Gematsu . en-US.
  4. Web site: The Banner Saga PC Review: Game of Thrones Meets Vikings Meets Disney . Cassandra Shaw . . 14 January 2014 . 2014-02-04.
  5. Web site: The Banner Saga PC Metacritic . . 2014-02-04.
  6. Web site: Dragons & Titans: F2P MOBA Launches for PC & Mac. Suzie Ford. MMORPG.com. 13 March 2014. 2014-03-14.
  7. Web site: Indie Stash Cast: Charles Cox of 4Gency Talks Habitat and the Benefits of ID@Xbox. Blaine Humphries. Two Dash Stash. 2014-05-06.
  8. Web site: Versus Evil Announces Afro Samurai Sequel, Kyn and More. John Ledford. Arcade Sushi. 2014-06-25.
  9. Web site: Dark Fantasy Adventure Game "Toren" to Launch on PS4 in 2015. Alex Co. PlayStation Lifestyle. 5 August 2014. 2014-08-05.
  10. Web site: Afro Samurai 2 currently in development . Tracey Lien . . 25 June 2014 . 2014-06-25.
  11. Web site: Afro Samurai Sequel Announced for PC and Consoles . Danny Cowan . . 2014-06-25.
  12. The Banner Saga waves it flag on iOS . https://web.archive.org/web/20141005202021/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/10/02/the-banner-saga-waves-its-flag-on-ios.aspx . dead . October 5, 2014 . Mike Futter . . 2014-10-02.
  13. Web site: Gray . Kate . 2021-02-09 . Pillars Of Eternity Will Get No More Patches On Switch, Despite Unresolved Issues . 2024-03-05 . Nintendo Life . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Hall . Charlie . 2021-02-09 . Pillars of Eternity’s Switch port won’t be getting any better . 2024-03-05 . Polygon . en-US.
  15. Web site: TinyBuild acquires Versus Evil and Red Cerberus in $31.3m deal . GamesIndustry.biz . November 23, 2021 . en . November 23, 2021.
  16. Web site: Batchelor . James . 2023-12-05 . TinyBuild lowers revenue forecasts, settles legal dispute with Versus Evil . 2024-03-05 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  17. Web site: Indie publisher Versus Evil has shut down . Justin . Carter . December 22, 2023 . . December 22, 2023.
  18. Web site: Indie Publisher Versus Evil Is Shutting Down, Entire Staff Laid Off . Alex . Stedman . December 22, 2023 . . December 22, 2023.
  19. Web site: Kerr . Chris . August 7, 2024 . Versus Evil veterans establish indie publisher Digital Bandidos . 2024-08-08 . www.gamedeveloper.com . en.