{{Short description|American video game developer}} {{Use American English|date=August 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = IllFonic, LLC | logo = IllFonic.png | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] | founded = {{Start date and age|2007}} in [[Denver, Colorado]], US | founders = {{Unbulleted list|Charles Brungardt|Kedhrin Gonzales|[[Raphael Saadiq]]}} | hq_location_city = [[Golden, Colorado]] | hq_location_country = US | num_locations = 3 offices | num_locations_year = 2020 | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Charles Brungardt ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Paul Jackson ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.builtincolorado.com/2019/06/18/colorado-tech-companies-innovation |title=How 4 Colorado tech companies stay on the cutting edge — and where they're headed next |first=April |last=Bohnert |date=June 18, 2019 |website=Built In CO |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618225916/https://www.builtincolorado.com/2019/06/18/colorado-tech-companies-innovation |archive-date=June 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>|Gio Corsi ([[Chief product officer|CPO]])}} | num_employees = 78 | num_employees_year = 2019 | website = {{URL|illfonic.com}} }}
'''IllFonic, LLC''' is an American [[video game developer]] based in [[Golden, Colorado]], with further offices in [[Tacoma, Washington]], and [[Austin, Texas]]. The studio was founded by Charles Brungardt, Kedhrin Gonzales and [[Raphael Saadiq]] in 2007. IllFonic is best known for developing [[asymmetric multiplayer]] games based on popular film franchises like ''[[Friday the 13th: The Game]]'', ''[[Predator: Hunting Grounds]]'', ''[[Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed]]'', ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game]]'', and the upcoming ''[[Halloween (2026 video game)|Halloween]]''.
== History == IllFonic founder Charles Brungardt had been working with [[R&B]] artist [[Raphael Saadiq]] since exiting college, producing and engineering records.<ref name="Confluence Denver">{{cite web |url=https://www.confluence-denver.com/innovationnews/illfonic_081613.aspx |title=IllFonic pivots to work for hire to complement game development |first=Eric |last=Peterson |date=August 16, 2013 |website=Confluence Denver |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819193128/https://www.confluence-denver.com/innovationnews/illfonic_081613.aspx |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> While working together, Saadiq confronted Brungardt with the idea of appearing in video games, based on which the game ''Ghetto Golf'' was conceptualized.<ref name="Confluence Denver" /> Brungardt subsequently relocated from [[Los Angeles]] to [[Denver]] and, together with Kedhrin Gonzales, formed IllFonic out of a garage.<ref name="Confluence Denver" /> Saadiq is also considered a co-founder.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: Nexuiz">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-13-developer-illfonic-on-life-after-thq |title=Developer Illfonic on life after THQ |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=February 13, 2013 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819193122/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-02-13-developer-illfonic-on-life-after-thq |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The studio moved around within Denver, from the garage to an apartment, then to offices above bars on Denver's broadway, before moving to proper offices by [[Speer Boulevard]] in the [[Golden Triangle, Denver|Golden Triangle]] in June 2013.<ref name="Confluence Denver" /> On the night of March 5, 2010, a [[Cannabis dispensaries in the United States|cannabis dispensary]] located next to IllFonic's offices was robbed. The [[Denver Police Department]] answered the alarm but incorrectly arrived at IllFonic's address, handcuffing three of its employees at gunpoint before the error was resolved.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-case-of-the-indie-devs-and-the-medical-marijuana-mi-5487257 |title=The Case of the Indie Devs and the Medical Marijuana Mixup |first=Owen |last=Good |date=March 6, 2010 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204211/https://kotaku.com/the-case-of-the-indie-devs-and-the-medical-marijuana-mi-5487257 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 2010, IllFonic was announced to be developing ''[[Nexuiz (2012 video game)|Nexuiz]]'', a remake of [[Nexuiz|the game of the same name]] released by Alientrap in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2010/03/illfonic-announces-nexuiz-for-consoles |title=Illfonic announces Nexuiz for consoles |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=March 2, 2010 |website=Gematsu |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819213323/https://gematsu.com/2010/03/illfonic-announces-nexuiz-for-consoles |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/12/shooter-nexuiz-being-remade-published/ |title=Shooter Nexuiz Being Remade, Published |first=John |last=Walker |date=December 12, 2011 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204213/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/12/shooter-nexuiz-being-remade-published/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The remake was released in February 2012 for [[Xbox 360]] and in May 2012 for [[Microsoft Windows]], published through [[THQ Partners]], part of publisher [[THQ]].<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: Nexuiz" /><ref name="Polygon: Nexuiz">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/27/4037348/nexuiz-xbox-360-servers-taken-offline |title=Nexuiz Xbox 360 servers taken offline |first=Dave |last=Tach |date=February 27, 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204208/https://www.polygon.com/2013/2/27/4037348/nexuiz-xbox-360-servers-taken-offline |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, as THQ went through [[bankruptcy]], the servers for ''Nexuiz''{{'}} Xbox 360 version were shut down.<ref name="Polygon: Nexuiz" /> The rights to the game then failed to be sold during THQ's bankruptcy auctions.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: Nexuiz" /> In 2013, IllFonic was contracted to develop the "Star Marine" module and the first-person systems for the game ''[[Star Citizen]]''.<ref name="PC Gamer: Star Citizen">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/eight-month-investigation-lifts-the-lid-on-star-citizens-troubled-development/ |title=Eight-month investigation lifts the lid on Star Citizen's troubled development |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=September 23, 2016 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204209/https://www.pcgamer.com/eight-month-investigation-lifts-the-lid-on-star-citizens-troubled-development/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game's developer, Cloud Imperium Games, planned to integrate these assets into the main game, however, after one year of work, discrepancies in the scales of the two studios' assets were found, making them incompatible.<ref name="PC Gamer: Star Citizen" /> IllFonic continued working on ''Star Citizen'', and their work was nearly completed by August 2015.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: Layoffs">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-08-17-illfonic-sees-layoffs |title=IllFonic sees layoffs |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=August 17, 2015 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819193133/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-08-17-illfonic-sees-layoffs |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> That month, IllFonic laid off six developers, including three of those working on ''Star Citizen''.<ref name="GamesIndustry.biz: Layoffs" /> In July 2013, IllFonic announced ''Revival'', a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/29/4567490/revival-illfonic-revive-the-mmorpg |title=With Revival, IllFonic aims to 'revive the MMORPG' |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |date=July 29, 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204209/https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/29/4567490/revival-illfonic-revive-the-mmorpg |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game's development was "indefinitely suspended" in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://massivelyop.com/2016/03/24/revivals-development-has-been-indefinitely-suspended/ |title=Revival's development has been indefinitely suspended |first=Bree |last=Royce |date=March 24, 2016 |website=Massively Overpowered |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204213/https://massivelyop.com/2016/03/24/revivals-development-has-been-indefinitely-suspended/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In late 2014, IllFonic and publisher [[Gun Media]] announced ''Slasher Vol. 1: Summer Camp'', an asymmetrical [[hide-and-seek]]-style [[action game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/creators-survival-horror-summer-camp-are-now-making-friday-13th-game/ |title=Survival horror Summer Camp is now Friday the 13th: The Game |first=Ashley |last=Reed |date=October 13, 2015 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204207/https://www.gamesradar.com/creators-survival-horror-summer-camp-are-now-making-friday-13th-game/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 2015, the game came to the attention of [[Sean S. Cunningham]], the producer of the ''[[Friday the 13th (franchise)|Friday the 13th]]'' series of films, who approached Gun Media to turn ''Summer Camp'' into a licensed game; the game was subsequently renamed to ''[[Friday the 13th: The Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/10/13/9491031/friday-the-13th-is-back |title=Friday the 13th is back |first=Colin |last=Campbell |date=October 13, 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819204212/https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/10/13/9491031/friday-the-13th-is-back |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> By this time, IllFonic had 50 employees.<ref name="VentureBeat: Interview">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/11/12/how-friday-the-13th-the-game-exploded-from-gun-medias-fun-horror-ideas/ |title=How Friday the 13th: The Game exploded from Gun Media's fun horror ideas |first=Stephen |last=Kleckner |date=November 12, 2015 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108123008/http://venturebeat.com/2015/11/12/how-friday-the-13th-the-game-exploded-from-gun-medias-fun-horror-ideas/ |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was released in May 2017 for Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/26/friday-the-13th-out-now-ps4-xbox-pc/ |title=Don't scream: The new 'Friday the 13th' game is out today |first=Timothy J. |last=Seppala |date=May 26, 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210224408/https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/26/friday-the-13th-out-now-ps4-xbox-pc/ |archive-date=February 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, legal battle surrounding the ''Friday the 13th'' franchise rights was in progress, causing IllFonic to cease development of new content for the game by June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/rest-in-pieces-friday-the-13th-the-game-1827582283 |title=Rest In Pieces, ''Friday The 13th: The Game'' |first=Owen |last=Good |date=July 13, 2018 |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819205700/https://kotaku.com/rest-in-pieces-friday-the-13th-the-game-1827582283 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Nintendo Switch]] port of ''Friday the 13th: The Game'' was released in August 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/friday-the-13th-the-game-is-available-right-now-on-nintendo-switch/ |title=Friday the 13th: The Game is available right now on Nintendo Switch |first=Jordan |last=Gerblick |date=August 14, 2019 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819205655/https://www.gamesradar.com/friday-the-13th-the-game-is-available-right-now-on-nintendo-switch/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Dead Alliance'', a multiplayer [[first-person shooter]], was developed by [[Psyop Games]] and IllFonic, and released by [[Maximum Games]] in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2017/05/multiplayer-zombie-fps-dead-alliance-announced-ps4-xbox-one-pc |title=Multiplayer zombie FPS Dead Alliance announced for PS4, Xbox One, and PC |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=May 24, 2017 |website=Gematsu |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819210555/https://gematsu.com/2017/05/multiplayer-zombie-fps-dead-alliance-announced-ps4-xbox-one-pc |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was previously known as ''Moving Hazard''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.player.one/moving-hazard-resurfaces-dead-alliance-after-maximum-games-steps-publisher-597097 |title='Moving Hazard' Resurfaces As 'Dead Alliance' After Maximum Games Steps In As Publisher |first=Scott |last=Craft |date=May 24, 2017 |website=Player.One |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819214950/https://www.player.one/moving-hazard-resurfaces-dead-alliance-after-maximum-games-steps-publisher-597097 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2018, IllFonic opened a second office in [[Tacoma, Washington]], with an initial seven staff members.<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma">{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/334874/A_culture_of_quality_Friday_the_13th_dev_IllFonic_is_hiring.php |title=A culture of quality: ''Friday the 13th'' dev IllFonic is hiring |first=Shannon |last=Gerritzen |date=January 28, 2019 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819193119/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/334874/A_culture_of_quality_Friday_the_13th_dev_IllFonic_is_hiring.php |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Built In: Tacoma">{{cite web |url=https://www.builtinseattle.com/2019/11/22/illfonic-lessons-learned-scaling |title=Navigating Growth: The Lessons IllFonic Learned While Scaling |first=Alton III |last=Zenon |date=November 22, 2019 |website=Built In SEA |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122231948/https://www.builtinseattle.com/2019/11/22/illfonic-lessons-learned-scaling |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> By January 2019, the Denver headquarters had been relocated to [[Golden, Colorado]].<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma" /> Both offices collectively employed 78 people (38 in Golden and 40 in Tacoma) in July 2019, while the Tacoma office alone had 47 employees by November.<ref name="Built In: Tacoma" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.builtinseattle.com/spotlight/2019/07/29/working-at-illfonic-tacoma-predator-hunting-grounds |title=A Look at Illfonic's Art Department, the Creative Powerhouse Behind Predator: Hunting Grounds |first=Anthony |last=Sodd |date=July 29, 2019 |website=Built In SEA}}</ref>
One of the IllFonic's most recent games, ''Predator: Hunting Grounds'', was released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/9/18563604/predator-hunting-grounds-release-date-playstation-4 |title=Predator: Hunting Grounds comes to PS4 in 2020 |first=Owen S. |last=Good |date=May 9, 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518144405/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/9/18563604/predator-hunting-grounds-release-date-playstation-4 |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/predator-hunting-grounds-is-a-brutal-asymmetrical-shooter-coming-to-pc-next-year/ |title=Predator: Hunting Grounds is a brutal asymmetrical shooter coming to PC next year |first=Shaun |last=Prescott |date=December 10, 2016 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> In January 2020, former [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] executive Gio Corsi joined IllFonic as [[chief product officer]]. By this time, the company had also opened a third office in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/01/gio-corsi-joins-illfonic-as-chief-product-officer |title=Gio Corsi joins IllFonic as Chief Product Officer |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=January 15, 2020 |website=Gematsu}}</ref>
== Games developed == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Platform(s) ! scope="col" | Publisher(s) |- ! scope="row" | 2012 | ''[[Nexuiz (2012 video game)|Nexuiz]]'' | [[Xbox 360]], [[Windows]] | [[THQ]] |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''[[Friday the 13th: The Game]]'' | [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], Windows, [[Xbox One]] | [[Gun Interactive|Gun Media]] |- | ''Dead Alliance'' | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One | [[Maximum Games]] |- ! scope="row" | 2020 | ''[[Predator: Hunting Grounds]]'' | PlayStation 4, [[PlayStation 5]], Windows, [[Xbox Series X/S]] | [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]], IllFonic |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | ''Arcadegeddon'' | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | rowspan="3" | IllFonic |- ! scope="row" | 2022 | ''[[Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed]]'' | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |- ! scope="row" | 2024 | ''[[Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game]]'' | PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S |- ! scope="row" | 2026 | ''[[Halloween (2026 video game)|Halloween]]'' | PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S | Gun Interactive |}
=== Supportive development === * ''[[Armored Warfare]]''<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma" /> * ''[[Crysis 3]]''<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma" /> * ''[[Evolve (video game)|Evolve]]''<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma" /> * ''[[Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-13-sonic-boom-rise-of-lyric-wii-u-infinite-height-exploit-lets-you-skip-most-of-the-game |title=Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric Wii U infinite height exploit lets you skip most of the game |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=November 13, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819213812/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-13-sonic-boom-rise-of-lyric-wii-u-infinite-height-exploit-lets-you-skip-most-of-the-game |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''[[Star Citizen]]''<ref name="Gamasutra: Tacoma" />
=== Canceled === * ''Ghetto Golf'' * ''Project Advena''<ref name="VentureBeat: Interview" /> * ''Revival''
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.illfonic.com/}}
[[Category:2007 establishments in Colorado]] [[Category:American companies established in 2007]] [[Category:Companies based in Golden, Colorado]] [[Category:Indie game developers]] [[Category:Privately held companies based in Colorado]] [[Category:Video game companies based in Colorado]] [[Category:Video game companies established in 2007]] [[Category:Video game development companies]]