The video game industry, a realm often lauded for its innovation and cultural impact, has lately resembled a tempestuous sea. Mass layoffs, abrupt game cancellations, and the shuttering of established studios have become disquietingly common. Amidst this turmoil, with the looming specter of artificial intelligence adding to the uncertainty, one name stands out not just for its acclaimed releases, but for its remarkable resilience: Supergiant Games.
While giants falter, Supergiant, the creators of the recently launched, critically acclaimed Hades 2, navigates these rough waters with an almost serene confidence. Formed in 2009 with a modest seven-person team, the studio has since expanded to twenty-five, a growth rate that might appear glacial by modern industry standards. Yet, this deliberate pace is Supergiant`s strength. Remarkably, all seven original members remain with the company, a testament to a foundational stability that few contemporary studios can boast. Furthermore, Supergiant has never resorted to major layoffs, nor has it ever sought external funding – a self-sufficiency that grants it a rare degree of creative and operational independence.
The Unconventional `Secret` to Endurance
What, then, is the magical elixir that has allowed Supergiant to not only survive but thrive where others stumble? Creative director Greg Kasavin, a veteran of game journalism himself, offers a surprisingly simple, almost humble explanation: there`s no magic, only a steadfast commitment to modesty.
“We don`t have an ambition to grow big for its own sake,” Kasavin explains. This philosophy stands in stark contrast to much of the industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdown-fueled gaming booms, many companies rapidly scaled up, hiring aggressively to meet burgeoning demand. The subsequent return to pre-pandemic consumption patterns left these expanded workforces vulnerable, leading to the very layoffs now plaguing the sector. Supergiant`s private ownership and measured growth insulated them from this boom-and-bust cycle. They chose the slow, steady ascent over the dizzying, precarious climb.
Crafting Futures: Beyond Hades 2
With Hades 2 freshly released to universal acclaim – indeed, a perfect 10/10 from many critics, lauding it as an “essential experience” – the natural question arises: what comes next for a studio that clearly values each creation so deeply?
Kasavin offers no immediate answers, a stance that perfectly reflects Supergiant`s development ethos. The decision, he notes, will emerge from a collective process, focusing on “what that thing is that`s gonna make the most of us the most excited.” This isn`t about chasing market trends or shareholder demands; it`s about internal passion and shared creative vision. Considering Hades 2 itself took approximately 4.5 years to develop, Kasavin`s pragmatic reminder, “we don`t have 30 games left or something like that,” underscores their commitment to meticulous craftsmanship over a production line mentality.
Each project, for Supergiant, is a significant investment of time and creativity. “We just try to make each one count and learn from the experience each time and take that forward and try to do it again,” Kasavin states, encapsulating a philosophy of continuous, iterative improvement. Hades 2 marks Supergiant`s first sequel, a significant departure for a studio known for its distinct, original titles. Its success, however, hasn`t necessarily paved a clear path for a Hades 3; rather, it reaffirms their ability to innovate and deliver quality, regardless of the chosen genre or narrative.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Supergiant`s trajectory serves as a potent case study. In an industry frequently obsessed with exponential growth, venture capital, and rapid exits, their quiet dedication to sustainable practices offers a refreshing, almost defiant, alternative. It champions creative control, fosters long-term employee loyalty, and proves that sometimes, the best way to win the long game is not to play the growth game at all. Their success isn`t just about making great games; it`s about building a great company, one carefully chosen step at a time, providing a quiet, yet powerful, blueprint for resilience in a turbulent world.
Callum Darby