Rebirth from Ashes: The Turbulent Journey of Evercore Heroes

The games industry is notorious for its unpredictability, and Travis George, CEO of Vela Games, has experienced this firsthand. Despite his past successes, including his time as a game designer at Riot Games, working on the incredibly popular League of Legends, George's own studio, Vela Games, faced significant challenges with its debut title, Evercore Heroes. Launched into closed beta in June 2023, the game failed to attract a substantial audience, leading to its eventual shutdown and a major downsizing of the studio. In a candid interview, George discusses the harsh realities of the gaming industry, the importance of adapting to change, and the valuable lessons learned from the experience. Evercore Heroes was envisioned as a welcoming, online multiplayer game that would address some of the negative aspects of League of Legends, particularly the perception of a toxic community that deters potential players. The game's concept was ambitious, aiming to create a fun, cooperative experience without the adversarial elements that often lead to negative player interactions. However, the execution fell short, and the game's closed beta ended just a couple of months after its launch. George acknowledges that the team's internal vision for the game did not align with how it was perceived externally, leading to confusion among potential players. The funding landscape also played a significant role in the game's demise, as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the gaming industry led to an explosion of funding, followed by a sharp decline. This left Vela Games without the necessary resources to continue supporting Evercore Heroes. The decision to downsize the studio and let go of a significant portion of the team was one of the most difficult George has ever had to make. However, from the ashes of the original Evercore Heroes, a new game has emerged: Evercore Heroes: Ascension. Completely reimagined as a roguelite with procedurally generated missions, the game offers a cooperative experience for up to three players, with the option for solo play. George emphasizes that this is not the same game as before but a new, distinct title that aims to capture the core principle of providing a fun, accessible experience for players. The journey of Evercore Heroes serves as a cautionary tale for game developers, highlighting the importance of starting small, being adaptable, and ensuring that a game meets the needs and desires of its target audience before launch. George's advice to fellow developers is to take the time to assess the market, find an audience, and build towards it, rather than rushing into launch with an unproven product. The story of Evercore Heroes is one of resilience and the pursuit of innovation in the face of adversity, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of the gaming industry.