The independent game publishing landscape faced a significant change as Versus Evil, a prominent name in the indie game community, has been shut down. This closure has resulted in the layoff of the publisher's entire workforce. Versus Evil had been notable for publishing several well-received indie games, including the critically acclaimed The Banner Saga and Pillars Of Eternity 2.
The publisher's unfortunate downturn began after it was acquired in November 2021 by tinyBuild, a larger indie game publisher known for hits such as Hello Neighbor. The acquisition seemed to suggest a new chapter for Versus Evil, one where it would potentially flourish with the backing of a more prominent player in the gaming industry. However, the partnership faced rocky grounds shortly after.
Francis Fincke, former director of product strategy at Versus Evil, expressed dismay on professional networking platform LinkedIn, where he announced that the entire 13-person company had been laid off on December 22, just as the holiday season was commencing. Meanwhile, a statement on Versus Evil's social media accounts confirmed the closure, reflecting on ten years of contributing to the indie gaming scene with immense gratitude towards their community.
The closure of Versus Evil underlies deeper issues within the agreement between Versus Evil and tinyBuild. Steve Escalante, the founder of Versus Evil, had been part of a legal dispute with tinyBuild, pertaining to allegations of breach of obligations within the acquisition contract. This dispute had recently been settled, with tinyBuild agreeing to pay a sum of $3.5 million in cash, among other legal expenses, to address the claims. Prior to these developments, Escalante had already announced an imminent departure from Versus Evil.
Versus Evil’s journey began in 2013, and over the years, the company established itself as a force in the indie publishing realm. The company was instrumental in the market release and success of a variety of indie games, which also included Tower Of Guns, Amikrog, and the card game Faeria. Its role extended beyond merely publishing games; it became part of the indie game community’s fabric, fostering connections and supporting developers in bringing their creative visions to life.
This closure, however, does not only reflect the fate of Versus Evil but also the parent company, tinyBuild, as it also closed Hakjak Studio. This smaller development team was working on the anticipated Pigeon Simulator, suggesting that the gaming industry, particularly in the indie game sector, is experiencing financial pressures. Versus Evil and Hakjak Studio are not isolated cases, but part of a broader pattern of layoffs within the video game industry. In 2023 alone, a tracking website dedicated to reporting layoffs within the industry, videogamelayoffs.com, estimates that around 10,000 staff members have been laid off.
This wave of layoffs signals a challenging period for the gaming industry, particularly with its impact on smaller studios and indie publishers. These companies generally operate with less financial cushioning compared to larger entities, making them more vulnerable to market shifts and business disputes. The consequences of these layoffs extend beyond the companies and their staff — they also impact the broader gaming community by potentially reducing the diversity and variety of games available to players.
The shutdown of Versus Evil is a reminder of the volatile nature of the video game industry and the risks involved in indie game publishing. It underscores the necessity for sustainable business practices and the importance of supportive fan communities around these smaller, but significant, contributors to the cultural tapestry of gaming. As the industry continues to evolve, the hope remains that the creativity and innovation that indie game publishers like Versus Evil brought to the table will not be lost, but rather, continue to thrive in new ways.
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