Photo credit: venturebeat.com
Digital Bandidos is a newly established indie game publishing company, launched in August 2024, at a time when numerous publishers were facing significant challenges, and many were going out of business.
Co-founded by veterans Steve Escalante and Lance James, Digital Bandidos has successfully attracted millions in funding to support indie game developers. This effort comes amidst fierce competition, as an estimated 17,000 small games are released each year, and many game studios are struggling to survive.
Escalante, in a discussion with GamesBeat, emphasized that Digital Bandidos aims to provide invaluable experience and resources for indie developers, positioning the company as agile defenders of developers’ interests, which inspired its name. He articulated a mission to empower these creators with the tools necessary to thrive in a saturated marketplace.
With a commitment to understanding the needs of developers, Escalante expresses a vision for a modern publishing approach that tackles the current hardships faced in the industry. Digital Bandidos is a venture formed by former staff from Versus Evil, with Escalante as one of the key founders, alongside recently appointed team members such as CFO Richard Iwaniuk and marketing head Richard Iggo.
The company has set its sights on bringing the mobile game Town of Salem 2, a sequel to a social deduction game, to modern consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch later this year. In addition, Digital Bandidos is gearing up for several updates on forthcoming projects, including Soulstone Survivors and a variety of new titles slated for release in 2025 and beyond.
Digital Bandidos positions itself as a comprehensive publishing partner, currently on the lookout for PC and console projects with development budgets of up to $3 million. The company specializes in role-playing, strategy, and action genres, yet remains open to exploring diverse gaming categories across all platforms.
Industry Challenges
“The atmosphere in the gaming industry has changed drastically. There’s a prevailing sense of unease following my experiences with Versus Evil, and we are continuously pondering the industry’s immediate needs,” Escalante commented. “Revisiting game pitches and discussions that can benefit indie developers is quite exciting.”
He pointed out that even major titles are not immune to the ongoing difficulties, highlighting layoffs at Warner Bros. and Ubisoft as part of a broader pattern that has seen around 35,000 industry professionals lose their jobs over the past three years. “Funding remains a critical issue, with a significant number of indie teams facing financial strain,” he added.
Escalante underscored that the absence of major game engine developers like Unity and Epic Games from industry events like GDC reflects a growing trend. “The landscape is shifting; we see publishers vanishing while developers regain control over their intellectual properties,” he stated.
Need for Publishers
Despite the industry’s struggles, the emergence of new publishers like Digital Bandidos and Acclaim Entertainment offers a glimmer of hope. Escalante asserts that the fundamental roles of publishers—such as providing funding, marketing, and technical assistance—are essential, even in challenging times. “Our focus is on building tools to support the industry, especially developers,” he remarked.
Escalante shared insights from recent industry discussions, noting that retention and post-launch support are crucial for indie titles. While funding is the first hurdle to overcome, effective user discovery is another pressing priority. He believes that Digital Bandidos is concentrating on these two areas to enhance market performance for the games they publish.
“Building a community around games will be one of the strongest marketing strategies moving forward,” he stated, stressing the importance of utilizing platforms like Discord and grassroots efforts to generate excitement and interest. For indie developers, establishing a robust relationship with their players can facilitate sustainable growth and visibility over time.
In contrast to AAA companies that can afford to announce games with significant budgets, indie developers often need to rely on grassroots, guerrilla marketing tactics to promote their titles, which can be a daunting task against a backdrop of thousands of new releases each year.
Strategic Positioning
Digital Bandidos has expanded its team to seven members, maintaining a lean and efficient structure. Already, their title Soulstone Survivors has seen success, selling over a million units on PC, while the company now prepares for console launches. Additionally, Town of Salem 2 and a new project called Let Them Come Onslaught are among their upcoming titles.
Escalante has shared ambitions to offer financial support to developers as they embark on new projects while concurrently working on their existing games. He noted the significance of focusing on platforms with a substantial player base, such as the PlayStation 5, while also considering alternative platforms like Telegram or Discord to maximize reach and revenue potential.
“I see no reason to shy away from any platform that enhances our revenue,” he stated, embracing the long-term benefits of expanding to various avenues.
Passion for the Industry
With a career spanning approximately 25 years, Escalante reflects on his journey in the gaming world, including the recent loss of friend and colleague Carter Lipscomb, who significantly influenced his career trajectory. Lipscomb was integral in assisting Escalante to self-publish his first game, which set him on a course within the indie scene. A tribute for Lipscomb is planned during the upcoming Game Developers Conference.
Having led Versus Evil for a decade, Escalante felt a strong desire to continue contributing to the industry. Conversations with numerous developers revealed a persistent demand for supportive publishers. “Many developers were expressing their enthusiasm for our approach and interest in collaborating,” he expressed. “This validation motivates me greatly. My passion lies in engaging with development teams, learning about their projects, and exploring how we can assist them. I feel fortunate to be involved in this vibrant community.”
Source
venturebeat.com