Supergiant Games
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Amir Rao, Gavin Simon |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Amir Rao (co-founder, operational leadership) |
| Products | Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades, Hades II |
Number of employees | 25 (2024) |
Supergiant Games, LLC is a privately owned American video game developer and publisher based in San Francisco. Established in 2009 by Amir Rao and Gavin Simon, the company has earned widespread recognition for its highly praised games, including Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades, and Hades II.
History
The inception of Supergiant Games traces back to former EA Los Angeles executives Amir Rao and Gavin Simon, who previously worked on the Command & Conquer franchise under Electronic Arts. After leaving EA, they collaborated closely to create their inaugural title. Early in development, artist Jen Zee was brought on as art director, while Darren Korb was recruited to lead music composition and audio design. The studio also utilized freelance programmers during its early stages.
Their first release, Bastion, debuted to critical acclaim and established a solid foothold in the market through a publishing partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Featured prominently in Xbox Live Arcade’s 2011 "Summer of Arcade," the game sold over half a million copies and received multiple industry accolades.
In March 2013, Supergiant unveiled Transistor, which launched in May 2014. This title retained the company’s signature isometric perspective while introducing a cyberpunk aesthetic and innovative gameplay elements. It garnered favorable reviews and broadened the studio’s audience reach.
April 2016 marked the announcement of Pyre, which arrived in July 2017 on Windows, Linux, and PlayStation 4 platforms. Representing a strategic evolution, Pyre incorporated a distinctive "fantasy basketball" style combat system set within a party-based RPG format. The game was well-regarded and earned Game Informer’s accolade for best indie RPG of that year.
Supergiant achieved significant commercial success with Hades, first revealed at The Game Awards 2018 and fully released in September 2020 following an early access phase beginning December 2018. This roguelite action title draws heavily from Greek mythology, surpassing one million copies sold and receiving universal praise alongside numerous awards such as BAFTA’s Best Game and D.I.C.E. Awards for Best Independent Game and Best Action Game. Its strong sales performance reinforced Supergiant’s position as a leading indie developer.
At The Game Awards 2022, the studio announced Hades II, currently available in early access. This sequel continues exploring Greek mythological themes with a new lead character, Melinoë, aiming to expand Supergiant’s portfolio and drive sustained growth through franchise development.
Over its existence, Supergiant Games has maintained a compact team of around 25 employees as of 2024, emphasizing high-quality production under the operational leadership of co-founder Amir Rao. This lean organizational model has supported ongoing innovation, market presence, and robust financial outcomes within the global gaming sector.
Games developed
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Genre(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bastion | Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS | Action role-playing |
| 2014 | Transistor | Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Switch, iOS, Apple TV | Action role-playing, turn-based strategy |
| 2017 | Pyre | Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 | Action role-playing, sports |
| 2020 | Hades | Windows, macOS, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS | Action role-playing, roguelite |
| TBA | Hades II | Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch 2 | Action role-playing, roguelite |