Heyo all! Long time no see :)
It’s been almost 3 years since Crazy Dave and I graduated from high school and went our separate ways (geographically at least!). A lot has changed for all of us, but a few songs remain the same: I still love Busou Shinki, I still watch anime, and I still just can’t stop loving video games.
A couple months ago, I was introduced to the team at Pasta Stadium Leagues, an online community dedicated to creating competitive communities for competitive gamers. As a web developer, I had the chance to join their team and did so with gusto! So far we run the largest online events for Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and are expanding our reach into hot competitive titles, such as Skullgirls.
Skullgirls is a 2D-fighting game made by the indie developers Reverge Labs and produced by Autumn Games. The game boasts some of the most impressive (if not complex) animations of any fighting game accented nicely with spectacular character designs, a killer soundtrack, and quirky sense of humor. Originally released for digital download for the Playstation 3 and XBox 360, the team at Reverge Labs is hardly content to stay put. Slated for release in the near future is a PC port of the original Skullgirls to be distributed via Steam and other popular digital distribution services. In addition, Reverge Labs is looking to make another port for Sony’s portable console, the Playstation Vita, as well as a 3G-enabled handheld port made specially for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Skullgirls has even been a feature title at competitive arenas like EVO! Oh yeah, did I mention this is an indie team?
Yes, an indie team, and unfortunately like a lot of indie teams, Reverge Labs and Autumn Games ran into financial trouble. After a long series of legal batttles, the developers were forced to lay off a huge portion of staff and Skullgirls was effectively put to a stop. Alas, it seemed the game was destined for cult obscurity. In a typical display of non-traditional brilliance and pure love for their game, Reverge Labs made the interesting decision to reach out to their community for help in saving the game and add a new DLC character, Squigly. Boy did the fans respond!
Less than 24 hours into their fundraiser on Indiegogo.com, Reverge Labs had managed to exceed their original goal of $150,000 in donations, effectively saving Skullgirls and beloved Squigly! As of this point, more than 3 days into the campaign, they have received $250,000. Reverge didn’t want Skullgirls to die, and apparently so did the fans! As part of their continuing mission to be some of the coolest developers in town, Reverge Labs offered incentives and bonuses for donations: everything from Steam codes for their upcoming PC release to even having voice actresses from the game make you a custom voicemail! Donate $1,000 like a boss and you could even make a character to add to a Skullgirls stage :P
The fans spoke, and Reverge Labs heard. The future looks bright for what’s being called “the little indie fighter that could”, and Reverge has expanded its fundraising goals to accommodate for this massive resurgence in popularity. So far 10 future characters have been revealed simply as fundraising milestones have been met. Love Skullgirls too or just want good karma? Donate at their fundraising campaign here! I for one am looking forward to once again being able to play Skullgirls after having used my PS3 to pay for school :D
I felt like my associates and I at Pasta Stadium Leagues could learn a lesson or two from folks like Reverge Labs, and I hope other gamers and game companies take notice of the remarkable story that surrounds Skullgirls return.
Moral of the story: If you love it, fight for it.
Keep it tasty yall and come hang out with us at Pasta Stadium Leagues!
Ryan “Catacyst” Zimmerman