Gaming publisher behind great game on Steam closes 2 days before Christmas: fire everyone

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Gaming publisher Versus Evil announces its closure and lays off all employees just 2 days before Christmas. The indie publisher was founded in 2013 and has released some great players: “The Banner Saga” in particular still enjoys a great reputation on Steam with 93% positive reviews.

For which players is the publisher “Versus Evil” known?

  • The tactical role-playing game series “The Banner Saga” has 3 parts, the first in particular is praised for its narrative density and a great melancholic atmosphere. Part 1 has 88% positive reviews on Steam
  • The 2018 role-playing game “Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire” achieved 87% positive reviews on Steam
  • The publisher has also brought a few other titles onto the market such as Almighty: Kill Your Gods and Into the Dead 2

    • The Banner Saga Triology – Launch Trailer

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    Indie publisher was known for some role-playing gems

    This is the story behind the studio: Versus Evil was founded in 2013 by Steve Escalante, the former head of marketing at Zenimax Online Studios, Bethesda’s parent company at the time. The publisher should focus on the indie games market.

    In November 2021, Versus Evil was purchased by “tinyBuild”. Now Versus Evil is closing, just weeks after Escalante left the studio.

    What do you say about closure? The publisher officially says about X:

    “Today is a sad day. After 10 wonderful years, Versus Evil is closing its doors.”

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    It sounds much harsher from the production boss. He writes:

    “The entire Versus Evil team just got fired. Let me be clear: this was neither Versus Evil’s wish nor our decision.”

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    Trouble with the new owner

    Why is that? As the site Polygon reports, the publisher’s new owner, tinyBuild, was apparently dissatisfied with the profitability of Versus Evil. They were called “under-performers”: Three of the problem child’s games that were supposed to be released in 2023 were postponed to 2024.

    There was also a dispute between the new owners and the previous bosses of Versus Evil. The founders are said to have accused the new owners of not supporting the publisher financially to the extent promised in 2022 and 2023. Founder Escalante left the studio.

    With the closure of Versus Evil, 13 employees will lose their jobs just 2 days before Christmas. As Polygon reports, around 9,000 people in the gaming industry lost in 2023.

    2023 was a tough year for the gaming world in general. Long-established gaming institutions also closed in Germany:

    LoL: Summoner’s Inn closes after a former employee grills them on Twitch

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