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 members 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.
Published: Mar 6, 2025 11:00 am