Indie publisher Versus Evil closed and all staff laid off

Amidst the festive season, the vibrant world of indie games faced a sobering downturn with the closure of Versus Evil, an esteemed publisher known for titles like The Banner Saga and Pillars of Eternity 2. The wave of change hit Versus Evil on December 22, as the entire team of 13 received notice of layoffs during the onset of their Christmas vacation, informed Francis Fincke, the company's erstwhile director of product strategy, via a professional networking platform.

The company itself confirmed this grim news through its account on platform X, expressing its heavy-hearted feelings as it brought a decade-long journey to a close. Versus Evil took pride in its decade of contributions to the indie gaming scene, delivering a diverse mix of games, including Tower Of Guns and Faeria. The dedication and enthusiasm they shared with the gaming community were deeply ingrained in their message, as they thanked their loyal followers for all the unforgettable moments they shared.

The company's initiation stemmed from 2013, when Steve Escalante, its founder, embarked on a mission to boost independent game developers. However, earlier in the month, his departure was foreshadowed by an announcement about leaving the company. Escalante's recent legal entanglements with tinyBuild, the firm that acquired Versus Evil in 2021, unveiled his charges against the purchaser for failing to fulfill certain obligations outlined in the acquisition deal. Despite the contention, tinyBuild disclosed a settlement had been reached where claimants would receive a $3.5 million resolution in addition to covering the legal expenses.

Furthermore, in a strikingly similar event, tinyBuild also dissolved Hakjak Studio, creators of Pigeon Simulator, suggesting a potentially troubling pattern. These shutdowns are part of a broader trend observed throughout the year, with an estimated 10,000 layoffs across the gaming industry, as reported by a site dedicated to tracking these unfortunate events. This sequence of layoffs signals a challenging period for gaming professionals and could potentially reshape the industry's landscape.