Hidden Variable, the LA-based developer of Skullgirls Cell, has issued an announcement revealing that the group is “now not concerned within the growth of Skullgirls Cell, 2nd Encore, or different Skullgirls IP-related efforts” since twenty first January and has initiated authorized proceedings in opposition to writer Autumn Video games.
Posted to social media platforms (thanks, Occasion Hubs), the assertion says that the authorized papers have been filed in LA and the group will not be making additional remark “till this dispute is resolved”.
The papers present that the developer is claiming breach of contract associated to failure to make “required funds” totalling over $1.2 million.
Hidden Variable Assertion Concerning Skullgirls Growth
As of January twenty first, 2025, Hidden Variable is now not concerned within the growth of Skullgirls Cell, 2nd Encore, or different Skullgirls IP-related efforts resulting from a dispute with Autumn Video games which is now the topic of litigation filed within the Los Angeles County Superior Court docket. In gentle of that, we hope you perceive that – past this assertion – we won’t be commenting additional till this dispute is resolved.
All of us at HVS are extremely pleased with the ten+ years we have invested in Skullgirls in all its types, together with creating and supporting Skullgirls Cell, bringing new characters and platforms to Skullgirls 2nd Encore, supporting the aggressive group by way of the Skullgirls Championship Sequence, and serving to followers new and previous fall in love with the IP by means of the Skullgirls Webtoon and numerous different partnerships.
Most of all, we’re grateful to have been in a position to have a good time and assist the incomparable Skullgirls group – a lot of whom we have been lucky to fulfill in individual through the years at numerous occasions.
Thanks all for every thing – you deserve nothing however the very best.
Hidden Variable Studios
The writer issued its personal assertion on Twitter, aligning itself with the fandom and making an attempt to rally assist whereas additionally asserting Guilds for Skullgirls coming “later this yr” and making no particular reference to the dispute:
An Replace on Skullgirls
To the Skullgirls Neighborhood,
In the beginning, I wish to acknowledge the considerations surrounding current bulletins.
Skullgirls has all the time been greater than only a sport – it is a ardour challenge, a residing murals, and a world formed by the love of its creators and gamers alike. From the earliest days, it has been this partnership with you, the Skullgirls Neighborhood, that has made the Skullgirls Universe so particular. And with that, I wish to let you understand – with no uncertainty – that Autumn Video games is right here to develop our funding, assist, and growth of the Skullgirls franchise.
For the previous 15 years, Autumn Video games has labored behind the scenes because the unwavering spine of Skullgirls, guaranteeing its development and investing to convey this world to life. We have now been right here from the beginning-through each problem, each triumph, and each main milestone. With the unimaginable work, creativity, and assist of assorted groups: from Reverge Labs to Lab Zero, Future Membership, and Hidden Variable Studios; the Skullgirls Universe has developed in extraordinary methods regardless of vital challenges.
Nonetheless, it has develop into particularly clear that we collectively haven’t been delivering on our promise to you the followers; to convey new characters, tales, options, and sport modes in the best way you deserve. To be blunt, that’s the reason we’re making adjustments now.
We’re not an enormous company stepping in to take over; we’re sport builders, storytellers, and passionate followers, similar to you.
With that in thoughts, I wish to make one factor clear: Skullgirls is right here to remain, and we’re totally dedicated to constructing its future.
We’re not right here to easily preserve Skullgirls – we’re stepping in to reinvest in it, to develop the tales and gameplay, and to proceed to construct upon the Skullgirls Universe that all of us love.
It might come as no shock that we have now an infinite provide of concepts – we all know you as followers do too. We’re listening and we shall be delivering on our guarantees.
To that time, we’re excited to announce that we are going to be launching Guilds for Skullgirls this yr, an awfully lengthy promised characteristic; which is now really in growth since we have now taken over in the previous few months.
Your suggestions, your ardour, and your assist imply every thing to us. Thanks for being a part of this unimaginable journey – we will not wait to take Skullgirls into this new chapter collectively.
Come be a part of the dialogue on the Skullgirls Discord and keep tuned for updates quickly.
Jason and the Autumn Video games Crew
That is the most recent in an extended line of issues and controversies across the common however troubled preventing sport, the cellular model of which was developed solely by Hidden Variable.
Remnants of the unique developer Reverge Labs reformed as Lab Zero Video games following layoffs in 2012, and a falling out with Konami led to the Encore version of the sport (which grew to become 2nd Encore).
In 2020, allegations in opposition to lead designer Mike Zaimont’s conduct and a collection of resignations led to Hidden Variable and the writer chopping ties with Lab Zero utterly, after which Zaimont fired all remaining workers. Former members of the Lab Zero group then shaped Future Membership to proceed work on the sport together with Hidden Variable.
On the time of writing, the developer’s web site states that the group is “laborious at work on each Skullgirls Cell and a brand new, unique title”.
