Versus Evil

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.

Versus Evil LLC
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedSeptember 2013; 10 years ago (2013-09)
FounderSteve Escalante
DefunctDecember 22, 2023 (2023-12-22)
Headquarters,
US
Key people
Steve Escalante
Lance James
Francis Fincke
ProductsThe Banner Saga series
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
ParenttinyBuild (2021–2023)
SubsidiariesRed Cerberus
Websiteversusevil.com

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 Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma,[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.[3]

Games published

YearGameDeveloperPlatform(s)
2013The Banner Saga: FactionsStoicMicrosoft Windows, macOS
2014The Banner SagaMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Tower of GunsTerrible Posture GamesMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Dragons and TitansWyrmbyteMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Habitat: A Thousand Generations in Orbit4GencyMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4
2015TorenSwordtalesMicrosoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4
Guild of DungeoneeringGambrinousMicrosoft Windows
KynTangrin EntertainmentMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
ArmikrogPencil Test StudiosMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Skyshine's BedlamSkyshine GamesMicrosoft Windows, macOS
Afro Samurai 2Redacted StudiosMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4
2016The Banner Saga 2StoicMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
ArmikrogPencil Test StudiosMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017FaeriaAbrakamMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
AntiheroTim ConklingMicrosoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Let Them ComeTuatara GamesMicrosoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2018Pillars of Eternity II: DeadfireObsidian EntertainmentMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
MothergunshipGrip Digital
Terrible Posture Games
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The Banner Saga 3StoicMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2019At Sundown: Shots in the DarkMild BeastMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Pillars of Eternity: Complete EditionObsidian EntertainmentNintendo Switch
Into the Dead 2PikPok
CardpocalypseGambrinousMicrosoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, iOS
YagaBreadcrumbs InteractiveMicrosoft Windows, MacOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS
2020Wintermoor Tactics ClubEVC GamesMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2021JumpalaYokerebaMicrosoft Windows, MacOS
HolodriveBitCake StudioMicrosoft Windows
Hitchhiker: A Mystery GameMad About PandasMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS
Almighty: Kill Your GodsRunWild EntertainmentMicrosoft Windows
SockventureNighthouse GamesMicrosoft Windows
UnMetalUnepic EntertainmentMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
First Class TroubleInvisible WallsMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Hand of MerlinRoom-C Games
Croteam
Microsoft Windows
2022EvilleVestGamesMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2023Stray SoulsJukai StudioMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2024Astor: Blade of the MonolithC2 Game StudioMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Lil' GuardsmanHilltop StudiosMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Broken RoadsDrop Bear BytesMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
Tamarak TrailYarrow GamesMicrosoft Windows

References