# Pit People > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pit_People > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pit_People.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_People > Source revision: 1337779034 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2018 video game 2018 video game Pit People Developer The Behemoth Publisher The Behemoth Platforms Windows Xbox One Release March 2, 2018 Genres Tactical role-playing, strategy Modes Single-player, multiplayer ***Pit People*** is a [tactical role-playing game](/source/Tactical_role-playing_game) by indie game developer [The Behemoth](/source/The_Behemoth). An early access version for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) and [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) was released in January 2017 and the full version was released in March 2018. ## Gameplay In-game screenshot of a team battling another team Pit People is a turn-based strategy game inspired by classic [JRPGs](/source/JRPG). Players build parties to fight enemies they encounter in the overworld and story missions. The battles take place in hexagonal arenas, where characters have a limited range of motion per turn. All player actions in the game are related to distance. Obstacles are present within the arenas to add another layer of strategy in party placement. Parties can be any combination of customized units. The player selects a single character as the "leader" and receives buffs accordingly. Equipment can be given to units that modify their attack abilities, including range and movement options. Random encounters and story missions net the player loot for their party, ranging from weapons, equipment, and cosmetics. Certain characters are able to trap enemies and recruit them to your party pool, a necessary gameplay loop for growing your parties' abilities.[1] ## Development [The Behemoth](/source/The_Behemoth), founded in 2003 and based in [San Diego, California](/source/San_Diego%2C_California), is known for making games with offbeat humor and a signature cartoon art style. The success of their prior games—*[Alien Hominid](/source/Alien_Hominid)*, *[Castle Crashers](/source/Castle_Crashers)*, and *[BattleBlock Theater](/source/BattleBlock_Theater)*—established their reputation as an indie game developer.[2] As *BattleBlock Theater* approached its April 2013 release, the company began work on *Pit People*[3] under the codename "Game 4" (the studio's fourth game). The new game was designed to continue its predecessor's story, and both prominently feature a "space bear".[4] Its original arena-centered concept was titled "Pit People".[5] Behemoth set out to make a team-based game, and developed its [strategy gameplay](/source/Strategy_game) elements over time—the grid-based combat was raised several months into development.[4] This was a new genre for the company, which had established itself with [action games](/source/Action_games).[6] By 2014, the game had become a "fast-paced, turn-based, co-op adventure with management and role-playing game elements" in development for [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) and [Steam](/source/Steam_(service)). While the genre was new for the developer, the game retained their signature style.[7][4] The team teased its reveal in August 2014, when it debuted as a [playable demo](/source/Playable_demo) at the [PAX Prime](/source/PAX_Prime) exposition.[3] They released its first trailer a year later,[8] and ran a private beta test in September 2016.[9] [Steam Early Access](/source/Steam_Early_Access) and [Xbox One Game Preview](/source/Xbox_One_Game_Preview) program versions were launched on January 13, 2017.[10] In a blog post, The Behemoth announced that they are aiming to release the game in the first few months of 2018.[11] On February 21, it was announced that the game would release March 2.[12] ## Reception Reception Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic PC: 78/100[13] XONE: 79/100[14] In an early 2015 preview, *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))* wrote that the game's control scheme appeared to balance accessibility for newcomers and tactical options for veterans. They added that it was the funniest title at the [PAX East](/source/PAX_East) expo.[4] *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)* noted the game's zaniness and the enjoyment of playing it.[15] *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)* described its gameplay and style as "chaotic" and "unabashedly lowbrow", in light of an objective based on destroying fecal matter.[6] The game received positive reviews upon release according to [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[13][14] It was nominated for "Writing in a Comedy" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.[16] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Review: Pit People"](https://www.theyoungfolks.com/featured/99362/video-game-review-pit-people/). *The Young Folks*. Retrieved March 13, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Takahashi, Dean (March 1, 2016). ["Pit People is the silliest game coming for Microsoft's platforms"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170317222639/http://venturebeat.com/2016/03/01/pit-people-is-the-silliest-game-coming-for-microsofts-platforms/). *[VentureBeat](/source/VentureBeat)*. Archived from [the original](https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/01/pit-people-is-the-silliest-game-coming-for-microsofts-platforms/) on March 17, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-game_4_teaser_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-game_4_teaser_3-1) McWhertor, Michael (August 20, 2014). ["This is the next game from the developer of Castle Crashers and BattleBlock Theater"](https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/20/6049667/behemoth-game-4-teaser). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182206/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/20/6049667/behemoth-game-4-teaser) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Polygon:_darkly_funny_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Polygon:_darkly_funny_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Polygon:_darkly_funny_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Polygon:_darkly_funny_4-3) Sarker, Samit (March 23, 2015). ["The Behemoth's Game 4 is a darkly funny take on turn-based strategy"](https://www.polygon.com/2015/3/23/8275729/game-4-the-behemoth-hands-on-preview). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131443/https://www.polygon.com/2015/3/23/8275729/game-4-the-behemoth-hands-on-preview) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** O'Connor, Alice (July 9, 2015). ["Co-op Christening: The Behemoth's Game 4 Is Pit People"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/09/co-op-christening-the-behemoths-game-4-is-pit-people/). *[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171220135320/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/09/co-op-christening-the-behemoths-game-4-is-pit-people/) from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gspot_comment_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gspot_comment_6-1) Mahardy, Mike (August 30, 2015). ["Castle Crashers Dev's New Game is Unlike Anything it's Done Before"](http://www.gamespot.com/articles/castle-crashers-devs-new-game-is-unlike-anything-i/1100-6430170/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220503160930/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/castle-crashers-devs-new-game-is-unlike-anything-i/1100-6430170/) from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Polygon:_Game_4_7-0)** Farokhmanesh, Megan (September 4, 2014). ["Castle Crashers creator's next game is full of battles and bear blood"](http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/4/6088065/the-behemoth-game-4). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230103050811/https://www.polygon.com/2014/9/4/6088065/the-behemoth-game-4) from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Devore, Jordan (August 26, 2015). ["The Behemoth's Pit People gets its first trailer"](https://www.destructoid.com/the-behemoth-s-pit-people-gets-its-first-trailer-307975.phtml). *[Destructoid](/source/Destructoid)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103658/https://www.destructoid.com/the-behemoth-s-pit-people-gets-its-first-trailer-307975.phtml) from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Carter, Chris (August 30, 2016). ["Pit People beta invites going out, check your inbox"](https://www.destructoid.com/pit-people-beta-invites-going-out-check-your-inbox-383559.phtml). *[Destructoid](/source/Destructoid)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201108094906/https://www.destructoid.com/pit-people-beta-invites-going-out-check-your-inbox-383559.phtml) from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Matulef, Jeffery (December 12, 2016). ["The Behemoth's Pit People is coming to Early Access next month"](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-12-the-behemoths-pit-people-is-coming-to-early-access-next-month). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210921195902/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-12-the-behemoths-pit-people-is-coming-to-early-access-next-month) from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The Behemoth Blog Pit People's Final Touches!"](http://blog.thebehemoth.com/2017/11/21/pit-peoples-final-touches/). November 21, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230103050813/https://blog.thebehemoth.com/2017/11/21/pit-peoples-final-touches/) from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["At long last, The Behemoth's Pit People finally has a release date"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180320225541/https://www.destructoid.com/at-long-last-the-behemoth-s-pit-people-finally-has-a-release-date-490975.phtml). *destructoid*. Archived from [the original](https://www.destructoid.com/at-long-last-the-behemoth-s-pit-people-finally-has-a-release-date-490975.phtml) on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MC_PC_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MC_PC_13-1) ["Pit People for PC Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/pit-people/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Red Ventures](/source/Red_Ventures). Retrieved June 25, 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MC_XONE_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MC_XONE_14-1) ["Pit People for Xbox One Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/pit-people/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Red Ventures](/source/Red_Ventures). Retrieved June 25, 2021.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Marks, Tom (April 26, 2016). ["Castle Crashers creators' next game is filled with swords, uzis, and living cupcakes"](http://www.pcgamer.com/castle-crashers-creators-next-game-is-filled-with-swords-uzis-and-living-cupcakes). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230103050819/https://www.pcgamer.com/castle-crashers-creators-next-game-is-filled-with-swords-uzis-and-living-cupcakes/) from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Nominee List for 2018"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190828222156/http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/). *National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers*. February 11, 2019. Archived from [the original](http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/) on August 28, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019. ## External links - [Official website](http://pitpeople.com) v t e The Behemoth Games Alien Hominid Castle Crashers BattleBlock Theater Pit People Alien Hominid Invasion Behemoth Related articles Tom Fulp Dan Paladin Newgrounds [Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [Video games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Video_games) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pit People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_People) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_People?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.