Hidden Variable, the LA-based developer of Skullgirls Cell, has issued a observation revealing that the workforce is “now not concerned within the construction of Skullgirls Cell, 2d Encore, or different Skullgirls IP-related efforts” since twenty first January and has initiated criminal court cases towards writer Autumn Video games.
Posted to social media platforms (thank you, Match Hubs), the observation says that the criminal papers were filed in LA and the workforce would possibly not be making additional remark “till this dispute is resolved”.
The papers display that the developer is claiming breach of contract associated with failure to make “required bills” totalling over $1.2 million.
Hidden Variable Observation Referring to Skullgirls Building
As of January twenty first, 2025, Hidden Variable is now not concerned within the construction of Skullgirls Cell, 2d Encore, or different Skullgirls IP-related efforts because of a dispute with Autumn Video games which is now the topic of litigation filed within the Los Angeles County Awesome Court docket. In mild of that, we are hoping you keep in mind that – past this observation – we will be able to now not be commenting additional till this dispute is resolved.
All folks at HVS are extremely pleased with the ten+ years we have now invested in Skullgirls in all its paperwork, together with growing and supporting Skullgirls Cell, bringing new characters and platforms to Skullgirls 2d Encore, supporting the aggressive group by means of the Skullgirls Championship Sequence, and serving to fanatics new and previous fall in love with the IP throughout the Skullgirls Webtoon and numerous different partnerships.
Maximum of all, we are thankful to were ready to have a good time and strengthen the incomparable Skullgirls group – lots of whom we have now been lucky to fulfill in individual through the years at more than a few occasions.
Thanks desirous about the whole lot – you deserve not anything however the most efficient.
Hidden Variable Studios
The writer issued its personal observation on Twitter, aligning itself with the fandom and making an attempt to rally strengthen whilst additionally pronouncing Guilds for Skullgirls coming “later this yr” and making no explicit connection with the dispute:
An Replace on Skullgirls
To the Skullgirls Neighborhood,
Firstly, I wish to recognize the worries surrounding contemporary bulletins.
Skullgirls has all the time been greater than only a recreation – it is a interest undertaking, a dwelling murals, and an international formed by way of the affection of its creators and avid gamers alike. From the earliest days, it’s been this partnership with you, the Skullgirls Neighborhood, that has made the Skullgirls Universe so particular. And with that, I wish to can help you know – without a uncertainty – that Autumn Video games is right here to develop our funding, strengthen, and construction of the Skullgirls franchise.
For the previous 15 years, Autumn Video games has labored at the back of the scenes because the unwavering spine of Skullgirls, making sure its enlargement and making an investment to deliver this international to existence. We now have been right here from the beginning-through each and every problem, each and every triumph, and each and every primary milestone. With the improbable paintings, creativity, and strengthen of more than a few groups: from Reverge Labs to Lab 0, Long run Membership, and Hidden Variable Studios; the Skullgirls Universe has advanced in unusual techniques in spite of vital demanding situations.
On the other hand, it has turn out to be particularly transparent that we jointly have now not been turning in on our promise to you the fanatics; to deliver new characters, tales, options, and recreation modes in the best way you deserve. To be blunt, this is the reason we’re making adjustments now.
We aren’t a large company stepping in to take over; we’re recreation builders, storytellers, and passionate fanatics, identical to you.
With that during thoughts, I wish to make something transparent: Skullgirls is right here to stick, and we’re absolutely dedicated to development its long term.
We aren’t right here to easily take care of Skullgirls – we’re stepping in to reinvest in it, to increase the tales and gameplay, and to proceed to construct upon the Skullgirls Universe that all of us love.
It’s going to come as no marvel that we’ve got an unending provide of concepts – we all know you as fanatics do too. We’re listening and we will be able to be turning in on our guarantees.
To that time, we’re excited to announce that we will be able to be launching Guilds for Skullgirls this yr, an awfully lengthy promised characteristic; which is now if truth be told in construction since we now have taken over in the previous couple of months.
Your comments, your interest, and your strengthen imply the whole lot to us. Thanks for being a part of this improbable adventure – we will’t wait to take Skullgirls into this new bankruptcy in combination.
Come sign up for the dialogue at the Skullgirls Discord and keep tuned for updates quickly.
Jason and the Autumn Video games Crew
That is the newest in an extended line of headaches and controversies round the preferred however afflicted combating recreation, the cellular model of which was once advanced only by way of Hidden Variable.
Remnants of the unique developer Reverge Labs reformed as Lab 0 Video games following layoffs in 2012, and a falling out with Konami resulted in the Encore version of the sport (which changed into 2d Encore).
In 2020, allegations towards lead clothier Mike Zaimont’s behavior and a chain of resignations resulted in Hidden Variable and the writer reducing ties with Lab 0 utterly, and then Zaimont fired all final workforce. Former individuals of the Lab 0 workforce then shaped Long run Membership to proceed paintings at the recreation together with Hidden Variable.
On the time of writing, the developer’s web site states that the workforce is “arduous at paintings on each Skullgirls Cell and a brand new, unique identify”.
