- Digital Bandidos will collaborate with games on PC, console, and mobile platforms
- The publisher aims to acquire games and extend their presence to new platforms
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Following the closure of TinyBuild-owned Versus Evil last year, Steve Escalante and Lance James return with their new publishing venture, Digital Bandidos.
The company’s main objective is to provide services for indie developers, focusing primarily on PC and console games within the RPG, strategy, and action genres.
The team has also confirmed its collaboration with mobile developers, particularly those with premium titles. As one of their initial projects, they are bringing the social deduction game Town of Salem 2 to mobile devices. The original Town of Salem is already available on the platform.
CEO Steve Escalante mentions that prior to establishing this new publishing firm, he engaged in discussions with developers in North America and Europe regarding the current state of the industry, which has experienced numerous layoffs and studio closures.
“We are clearly seeing an adjustment in the industry across all aspects of the business.”
Steve Escalante
“We have had ongoing conversations with teams that indicate our continued relevance, especially in light of recent discussions,” says Escalante to PocketGamer.biz.
“Thus, we decided to establish another publisher that leverages our proven capabilities and approach. While we may not always have all the answers, together we can assist these immensely creative teams in launching their incredible games.
“Digital Bandidos will emphasize our core game genres that appeal to a common customer base. We aim to capitalize on these similarities and fan base support as effectively as possible.”
He further states, “One of Digital Bandidos’ strengths is our recent direct experience in indie publishing. We are not speculating about our strategies or potential outcomes. We are not just another faceless corporation; instead, we offer personalized attention and tailored solutions to our partners.”
Tackling Industry Challenges
The industry is confronting various challenges, including macroeconomic factors, reduced investments, and a post-pandemic downturn, impacting both developers and publishers.
“We are observing significant adjustments across all facets of the industry,” Escalante remarks.
“Investments are slowing down, interest rates are high, and service providers are under pressure to lower rates. Developers facing layoffs and studio closures are pitching IPs for extended periods, which is unsustainable for most. Agencies are losing clients due to budget cuts. It’s a challenging environment.”
According to Escalante, Digital Bandidos operates with a more streamlined structure compared to other organizations, allowing it to support innovative models while remaining agile, flexible, and profitable. The company has established partnerships with developers, platform holders, agencies, and outsourcing teams.
Securing Funding
One of the ways Digital Bandidos plans to support studios is through its diverse financing options, ranging from full-scale funding to smaller investments for project completion, porting, or marketing.
“Initially, there is the conventional funding requirement for new, unreleased games utilizing a milestone-based approach typical in the video game sector. That’s no secret,” explains Escalante.
“Furthermore, we are interested in financing expansion and progress. For teams already experiencing some level of success but needing assistance in reaching new audiences, platforms, and content growth, we believe that publishers are well-positioned to help them.
“While we provide financial support, it’s our focus on the teams, content, and commercialization of indie developers’ games that sets us apart. We identify similar attributes in these teams and their products, but our direct experience and knowledge are instrumental in guiding them towards successful game launches and achieving their objectives.”
“We can infuse more capital into development, expand content, foster community engagement, and venture into new platforms.”
Steve Escalante
Digital Bandidos also plans to acquire games from developers meeting specific criteria. Escalante explains that the aim is to assist studios in funding and creating their next projects while providing them with a form of exit strategy.
The titles of interest are established games that have been on the market for over two years, generating annual sales ranging from $100k to $1m or more. Escalante emphasizes that this is not a speculative venture where developers project sales figures; instead, Digital Bandidos seeks to acquire proven games.
“Teams require financial support to achieve their next milestones, especially following a challenging year filled with uncertainties. Our goal is to introduce positive outcomes into the industry,” Escalante notes.
“Developer aspirations vary, with many seeking to sustain their existing titles and communities while also launching new games, exploring novel concepts, or pivoting entirely.
“We can bolster development with additional funding, expand content, support the community, and broaden into new platforms. This benefits the developer, enriches the customer experience, and allows us to work on games that we genuinely admire.”
Mobile Integration
While Digital Bandidos primarily focuses on PC and console platforms, Escalante outlines that their approach to mobile aligns with their overall publishing philosophy – striving to bring games to their optimal platforms. The company’s aim is to leverage established IPs and introduce them to new platforms, as evidenced by the upcoming release of Town of Salem 2 on mobile.
“Expansion and reaching new audiences are integral to our mission,” emphasizes Escalante. However, he notes that while some games are suited for multi-platform releases, expanding to additional platforms for certain projects may heighten risk.
“In all instances, we engage with the development team to understand their objectives and how we can assist in achieving them,” he asserts.
“We then ensure the game aligns with the platform, target audience, and overall game experience. If these elements harmonize, we strive to expand as much as possible for all games under the Digital Bandidos umbrella.”
Explore opportunities to connect with publishers and gain insights into the industry at our upcoming events, including Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki on October 1st and 2nd and Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan on November 9th and 10th.
