10 Video Game Studios Probably Founded Out Of Spite
Talk about taking your talent elsewhere.
“If you don’t like it, make your own” is a pretty poor comeback in any argument, but especially when it comes to developing games.
However, some things do feel easy when you’re cheesed off… or at least seem more worthwhile doing as a giant middle-finger to the people who talked down to you or otherwise stood in your way.
Some creative souls struggle manoeuvring through the business side of the industry and we’ve heard many stories over the years of directors and developers clashing with their bosses. If these issues aren’t resolved, it can be very tempting for those that are carrying a project to take their talent elsewhere.
If your company doesn’t appreciate you, make your own company!
The video game studios on this list were all created in response to one situation or another, usually an explosive one or one with some high emotions at the very least. Some developers feel so slighted by their employers that it becomes fuel in the tank.
That spite, rage and drive to create without compromise can be a power thing.
10. ArtPlay
Koji Igarashi is a name synonymous with Castlevania.
Having worked at Konami since he left College, Igarashi’s first time contributing to the IP was hugely important for his career and for the franchise. Midway through development of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Igarashi was promoted to assistant director. The finished product is often called the best title in the series, and it is unanimously praised for refreshing its playstyle.
In fact, so much so that the term “Igarashivania” refers to any Castlevania game made in this grand, explorative, RPG-adjacent style.
After over 30 years at Konami, Igarashi left as the company took a turn into developing mobile games and had little use for a man of his talents. Later that year, he became a co-founder of ArtPlay.
A collaboration between Chinese and Japanese developers, ArtPlay’s first major game was exactly what it needed to be. Sure it didn’t have the same title or the same universe, but Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was a through-and-through spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night and all of its sequels.
To further prove that Igarashi’s presence was still desired in the industry, Bloodstained was crowdfunded as one of the most successful video games ever on the Kickstarter platform.