# Airship Syndicate

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Airship_Syndicate
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Airship_Syndicate.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship_Syndicate
> Source revision: 1356301311
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

American video game development company

Airship Syndicate Entertainment, Inc. Type Private Industry Video games Founded September 25, 2014; 11 years ago (2014-09-25) Founder Joe Madureira Ryan Stefanelli Steve Madureira Headquarters Austin, Texas , U.S. Key people Joe Madureira (CEO) Ryan Stefanelli (president) Number of employees 40 (2019) Website www.airshipsyndicate.com

**Airship Syndicate Entertainment, Inc.** is an American [video game development](/source/Video_game_development) company based in [Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas). Founded by several ex-[Vigil Games](/source/Vigil_Games) staff including [Joe Madureira](/source/Joe_Madureira) and Ryan Stefanelli, in 2014, Airship Syndicate is most known for developing *[Battle Chasers: Nightwar](/source/Battle_Chasers%3A_Nightwar)* (2017), *[Darksiders Genesis](/source/Darksiders_Genesis)* (2019) and *[Ruined King: A League of Legends Story](/source/Ruined_King%3A_A_League_of_Legends_Story)* (2021).

## History

[Joe Madureira](/source/Joe_Madureira) co-founded the studio.

[Vigil Games](/source/Vigil_Games), the creator of the *[Darksiders](/source/Darksiders)* series, was shut down after publisher [THQ](/source/THQ) declared [Chapter 11 bankruptcy](/source/Chapter_11_bankruptcy). The co-founders of Vigil Games, [Joe Madureira](/source/Joe_Madureira) returned to work for [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics), while Ryan Stefanelli joined [Crytek USA](/source/Crytek_USA) and worked on *[Hunt: Horrors of the Gilded Age](/source/Hunt%3A_Horrors_of_the_Gilded_Age)*. After *Hunt*'s development was rebooted by Crytek and Madureira finished his work on the comics, the two, alongside ex-Vigil Games animator Steve Madureira, decided to start an independent studio with a small team, as they felt that Vigil grew to become too big.[1] When they were choosing the studio's name, they initially considered using the name "Chaotic Evil", but they dropped the name after realizing that it was once used by a [porn site](/source/Porn_site).[2] According to Madureira, they ultimately decided to use the title "Airship Syndicate" instead, since the title reflected a "vibe of exploration and otherworldly technologies".[1]

After the company's establishment, it quickly began developing a [dungeon crawling](/source/Dungeon_crawling) game, which was described by the team as a "love letter" to [JRPG](/source/JRPG).[3] Initially set to be a new [intellectual property](/source/Intellectual_property) (IP), the game was later set in the *[Battle Chasers](/source/Battle_Chasers)* universe, which was created by Madureira. Madureira had reservations since he considered *Battle Chasers* to be an old comic book series and he was unsure if "fans would care".[2] Nonetheless, when *[Battle Chasers: Nightwar](/source/Battle_Chasers%3A_Nightwar)* launched on [Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter), it earned more than $850,000, surpassing its initial goal of $500,000. The team expanded since the scope of the project increased significantly during the course of development. The game was released in October 2017 by [THQ Nordic](/source/THQ_Nordic) and it was both a critical and commercial success.[2]

After the successful release of *Battle Chasers: Nightwar*, the studio began pitching to THQ Nordic, the owner of the *Darksiders* IP, about a new installment in the series. [Gunfire Games](/source/Gunfire_Games) was working on *[Darksiders III](/source/Darksiders_III)*, but due to Airship Syndicate's small size, it wanted to create a game with a smaller scope. The new installment, titled *[Darksiders Genesis](/source/Darksiders_Genesis)*, is played from an [isometric perspective](/source/Isometric_video_game_graphics), unlike other games in the series. It has a two-year development cycle. The game was released to generally positive reviews in December 2019.[4]

At [The Game Awards 2019](/source/The_Game_Awards_2019), the studio announced *[Ruined King: A League of Legends Story](/source/Ruined_King%3A_A_League_of_Legends_Story)*, a single-player [turn-based](/source/Turn-based_strategy) role-playing game set in the *[League of Legends](/source/League_of_Legends)* [universe](/source/League_of_Legends_universe). [Riot Forge](/source/Riot_Forge) published the game.[5] The game was released on November 16, 2021.[6] Airship Syndicate also confirmed that a next-generation console version for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will be available as a free upgrade at a later date.[7]

During TennoCon 2022, AirShip Syndicate announced that they are collaborating with [Digital Extremes](/source/Digital_Extremes) for the development of a [massively multiplayer online](/source/Massively_multiplayer_online) game.[8] The game, *Wayfinder*, was announced during [The Game Awards 2022](/source/The_Game_Awards_2022).[9] In November 2023, Digital Extremes announced that their publishing division had been shut down, and Airship Syndicate will regain full control of the property.[10] On January 31, 2024, the company announced it would lay off 12 employees. President Ryan Stefanelli and CEO Joe Madureira will also take a pay cut.[11]

## Games

Year Title Publisher Platform(s) 2017 Battle Chasers: Nightwar THQ Nordic Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android 2019 Darksiders Genesis THQ Nordic Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia 2021 Ruined King: A League of Legends Story Riot Forge Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S 2024[a] Wayfinder Airship Syndicate[b] Windows, PlayStation 4,[c] PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Released in early access on August 17, 2023, with a full release in October 2024[12]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Initially published by [Digital Extremes](/source/Digital_Extremes) before being transferred to Airship Syndicate in April 2024[12]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** PlayStation 4 version is planned to be discontinued in 2024.[12][*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GIInt_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GIInt_1-1) Reiner, Andrew (September 26, 2014). ["Former Darksiders Developers Form Airship Syndicate"](https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/09/26/former-darksiders-developers-form-new-studio-airship-syndicate.aspx). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140928082221/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/09/26/former-darksiders-developers-form-new-studio-airship-syndicate.aspx) from the original on September 28, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PCGInt_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PCGInt_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-PCGInt_2-2) Watson, Eric (October 10, 2017). ["The creators of Battle Chasers: Nightwar on comics, RPGs, and almost being Chaotic Evil"](https://www.pcgamer.com/the-creators-of-battle-chasers-nightwar-on-comics-rpgs-and-almost-being-chaotic-evil/). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Hussain, Tamoor (September 8, 2015). ["Darksiders Devs Using Crowdfunding To Revive Classic Comic Series as JRPG"](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/darksiders-devs-using-crowdfunding-to-revive-class/1100-6430384/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Takahashi, Dean (June 11, 2019). ["Airship Syndicate comes home to make Darksiders Genesis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200220061414/https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/11/airship-syndicate-comes-home-to-make-darksiders-genesis/). *[VentureBeat](/source/VentureBeat)*. Archived from [the original](https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/11/airship-syndicate-comes-home-to-make-darksiders-genesis/) on February 20, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Wilde, Tyler (December 13, 2019). ["Ruined King is the first singleplayer League of Legends game"](https://www.pcgamer.com/ruined-king-is-the-first-single-player-league-of-legends-game/). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. Retrieved March 16, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Lee, Julia (October 31, 2020). ["League of Legends turn-based RPG Ruined King comes to console and PC in 2021"](https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/31/21538783/ruined-king-league-of-legends-story-release-date-trailer-rpg). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. Retrieved November 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["'League of Legends' spin-off 'Ruined King' suddenly arrives on consoles and PC"](https://www.engadget.com/riot-forge-ruined-king-league-of-legends-story-convergence-song-of-nunu-171823703.html). *Engadget*. Retrieved 2021-11-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Maker, Connor (July 16, 2022). ["Digital Extremes announces Soulframe and indie publishing during TennoCon 2022"](https://www.vg247.com/soulframe-digital-extremes-publishing-airship-syndicate). *[VG 247](/source/VG_247)*. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gurwin, Gabe; Williams, Demi (December 8, 2022). ["Airship Syndicate Announces New RPG Wayfinder"](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/airship-syndicate-announces-new-rpg-wayfinder/1100-6509844/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Retrieved December 10, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Wales, Matt (November 9, 2023). ["Warframe studio confirms "a number of" layoffs as it shuts down publishing arm"](https://www.eurogamer.net/warframe-dev-confirms-a-number-of-layoffs-as-it-shuts-down-publishing-arm). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. Retrieved January 25, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Shepard, Kenneth (2024-01-10). ["59 Days Into 2024 And 8,100+ Video Game Layoffs Have Been Announced"](https://kotaku.com/game-industry-layoffs-how-many-2024-unity-twitch-1851155818). *Kotaku*. Retrieved 2024-03-05.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Echoes_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Echoes_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Echoes_12-2) ["Wayfinder - Announcing Wayfinder Echoes - Forging Our Own Path - Steam News"](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1171690/view/4174350531696890458). *store.steampowered.com*. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.airshipsyndicate.com/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Airship Syndicate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship_Syndicate) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship_Syndicate?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.