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Hidden Variable Games, developer behind Skullgirls 2nd Encore and Skullgirls Mobile, announced it will end development and updates for both games and the webtoon. It cited a dispute with Autumn Games, a publisher that worked on the series since its debut in 2012. It did not explain what led to litigation, but did note this ongoing issue started on January 21, 2025 and affects the games and Webtoon.

The first Skullgirls developer was Reverge Labs. However, layoffs meant that Lab Zero Games was formed in 2012 was to continue work on it. When that happened, we also learned Autumn owns the IP for the series. After issues with Mike Zaimont in 2020, that studio fell apart. Hidden Variable, which consisted of team from the previous two developers, continued on to work on Skullgirls 2nd Encore and Skullgirls Mobile until this end due to the lawsuit.

In recent years, we’d seen a number of major updates on the Skullgirls series. This led to additional characters, who previously ended up abandoned due to crowdfunding endeavor votes and other development issues, showing up in the game. For example, Brain Drain and Minette finally showed up in Skullgirls Mobile. We also saw the main game get Umbrella, Black Dahlia, and Marie DLC.

Autumn Games has yet to issue a statement on the situation and future of the series. The Webtoon page still features a message that reads, “Skullgirls will return.”

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Vita, and PC, and you can find Skullgirls Mobile on Android and Apple iOS devices. 

The post Hidden Variable Ends Work on Skullgirls Updates appeared first on Siliconera.

Arc System Works suspended Mike "MikeZ" Zaimont from an update he was working on for Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R. Gamasutra's Bryant Francis broke the story via direct communication with Arc System Works. Zaimont recently made racist statements and was accused of abuse, sexual harassment, and other misconduct.

On October 30, 2020, a representative from Arc System Works, Takeshi Yamanaka, confirmed Zaimont's suspension. Team French CaliBurst originally requested Zaimont's involvement, and Arc System Works contracted him to work on a rollback netcode patch for Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R. Mike Zaimont reportedly worked on the update until October 24, 2020.

Yamanaka clarified to Gamasutra:

Arc System Works has now agreed with Team French CaliBurst to suspend MikeZ's participation in development until he has addressed the outstanding matters.

When Gamasutra asked Yamanaka further about the timing for suspending him, he told the outlet:

It was decided on the basis of delivering the best service to our s, and putting the s as our utmost priority. In the ultimate interest of our fans waiting for the GGPO update, we express our utmost regret that we chose to overlook certain aspects of our harassment policy.

We have the expectation for MikeZ to resolve the allegations against him in good faith. Now that the development has came to a milestone, and with your [outreach], we thought it to be a good time for MikeZ to start working towards a resolution.

Mass resignations took place at Lab Zero Games back at the end of August 2020. A large amount of ex-staff made public statements on Twitter that Zaimont's misconduct was the reason for their resignations. Zaimont then fired all remaining staff and told Kotaku, "Unfortunately, Lab Zero was forced into layoffs because we were no longer able to meet our payroll obligations." This affected Indivisible's post-launch DLC. Several key staff ended up forming a new studio, Future Club, shortly after leaving Lab Zero Games.

The post Mike Zaimont, Formerly of Lab Zero, Suspended from Guilty Gear Update appeared first on Siliconera.

There’s yet another twist in the Indivisible Switch physical copy saga, but this one is a more positive development. Even though, for a time, it looked like there might not be enough to go around in North America and the release wouldn’t be happening, it now is. 505 Games took to Twitter to confirm that people will be able to find the game in stores on December 1, 2020. (Switch physical copies are already available in Europe and Japan.)

For those just catching up, here’s what happened. As a result of the pandemic, the Indivisible Switch physical copies were delayed. Europe ended up getting them in June 2020, with Japan’s copies arriving back in July 2020. The Switch Razmi’s Challenges DLC was delayed too, with it supposedly set for May.

After Lab Zero Games dissolved, 505 Games issued a statement saying the guest characters would never be added and the North American physical copies were canceled. However, later the company confirmed that a “small batch” of copies would head to some stores. It also finally released the Indivisible Switch new game plus update and paid DLC in October 2020. Now, the official statement on the game’s website from October 20, 2020 said, “Indivisible for Nintendo Switch will be arriving at ALL North American retailers starting on Tuesday December 1st.”

Indivisible is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The Indivisible Switch physical copies will show up in North American stores on December 1, 2020.

The post Indivisible Switch Physical Copies Will Come to North America in December appeared first on Siliconera.

Some loose ends are now officially tied up. 505 Games announced the Indivisible Switch new game plus free update and paid Razmi’s Challenges DLC arrived. People can update their game to go ahead and add new features for the base game or pay to add some new levels.

Both of these updates are immediately available in the other versions of the game, so we know exactly what to expect from them. The Razmi’s Challenges DLC is a collection of platforming levels. (So if you preferred Indivisible’s story or battle system, this DLC isn’t for you.) There are 40 to complete for $7.99. That’s the same price as the add-on is on other platforms.

The free update adds two major features. One is the Indivisible Switch new game plus save option. Your abilities, allies, and equipment will all carry over. You’ll also have a different look for Ajna, to signify you’ve done all this before, and get to hear a new song by composer Hiroki Kikuta at the end. Also available is co-op multiplayer, which lets up to four people control the other three allies you have in battles.

Unfortunately, following the end of Lab Zero Games, all development on Indivisible ended. This meant the guest characters wouldn’t be added to the game. Also, the North American Switch physical release won’t be happening as planned.

Indivisible is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The post Indivisible Switch New Game Plus and DLC Appear appeared first on Siliconera.

Back in August 2020, multiple Lab Zero Games staff left the studio after alleged inappropriate behavior from Mike “Mike Z” Zaimont. Shortly after, all remaining staff was fired. Now, former employees who worked on games like Indivisible and Skullgirls have founded Future Club.

The team consists of 15 , with sca Esquenazi acting as both CEO and a producer. It will be a cooperatively structured developer making 2D animated games. Esquenazi previously acted as a CEO and producer at Lab Zero Games and was an art production coordinator, then art producer, at Riot Games.

Other staff at the new studio include Creative Director Mariel Kinuko Cartwright, Designer Earl Gertwagen, and Senior Animator Jonathan Kim. Kinuko Cartwright and Kim were both among the Lab Zero staff who resigned back on August 23, 2020.

Future Club hasn’t announced any possible game projects. However, those worried about Skullgirls don’t need to worry about Skullgirls Mobile updates. Both Hidden Variable Studios and Autumn Games affirmed that Autumn owns the series’ IP and that additional updates won’t be affected. This means that people should still see Annie of the Stars, the next DLC fighter announced for the game, without any sort of issue.

The post Ex-Lab Zero Form Future Club appeared first on Siliconera.

Multiple Lab Zero staff and companies working with them have issued statements saying they will no longer work with the company over Mike “Mike Z” Zaimont and his inappropriate behavior. Zaimont is the 100% owner of Lab Zero and is the studio head. After abusive behavior, sexual harassment, a racist joke, and other misconduct alluded to, former Art Director and Lead Animator Mariel Cartwright, Senior Animator Jonathan Kim, Art Producer Brian Jun, and Senior Artist Jessica Allen have all left the developer. In addition, Skullgirls IP owner Autumn Games and Skullgirls Mobile developer Hidden Variable Studios have committed to not working with Zaimont or Lab Zero.

Here is Cartwright’s statement about the situation and her resignation announcement.

I've resigned from Lab Zero Games. pic.twitter.com/I0dazMz4XB

— Kinuko (@kinucakes) August 24, 2020

Here is Jun's resignation announcement, which also noted that Zaimont refused to leave his position.

I'm leaving Lab Zero Games.

Short version:

Mike Z creates an unsafe work environment for everyone.

He is the sole owner of Lab Zero Games, and removing him is difficult. He originally agreed to leave, but is unwilling to make a reasonable compromise, so I’m taking my exit now. pic.twitter.com/Uk4GjMt62k

— EU03 (@ClickAgain) August 23, 2020

Here is Kim's resignation and statement on the situation.

Hey guys, I've resigned from Lab Zero Games. pic.twitter.com/9xlr3X0IHD

— Persona (@personasama) August 24, 2020

Here is Allen's tweet about leaving Lab Zero.

lrt i quit yesterday it's been a stressful last few weeks but now i can look forward to the future!

— nami (@nomnomnami) August 23, 2020

And here is Hidden Variables and Autumn's statement. In addition to pledging to not work with Zaimont or Lab Zero, it did confirm that Skullgirls will still remain updated and alive, with the Annie of the Stars addition planned for both Skullgirls Mobile and Skullgirls 2nd Encore even after these events.

An official statement from Hidden Variable and Autumn regarding Lab Zero Games and the future of Skullgirls. pic.twitter.com/4qeoN9fgRj

— Skullgirls Mobile (@sgmobile) August 25, 2020

Editor's note: In catching the statements posted, one that was a retweet of an additional resignation was accidentally shared twice.

Lab Zero Games was founded in 2012, and its two games were Skullgirls and Indivisible.

The post Lab Zero Staff , Hidden Variable, and Autumn Games Cut Ties With Lab Zero and Mike Zaimont appeared first on Siliconera.