As we celebrate our 15th year, we harken back this week to a talk with Supergiant Games’ Greg Kasavin. Supergiant Games has always delivered hard hitting narratives and impactful characters. Thanks to their recent take on Greek mythology in Hades & Hades 2, this developer has become a worldwide phenomenon known by all who enjoy roguelikes with a narrative that expands throughout each playthrough. 

This consistency has followed them throughout their whole career, even as farther back than 2016 when they unveiled a story-rich, action RPG entitled Pyre. John Azzilonna, at first a writer for Joystickin’ and now our Creative Director, was on the scene at PAX East back in 2016 and had the chance to talk to Greg Kasavin, the Creative Director for Supergiant Games. 

Pyre had been in the works for a while, and PAX East was one of Supergiant’s biggest showcases before the game would launch in July, 2017. A full 20-minute long demo was available for PAX goers to try out, enjoying all of Pyre’s team building and character focused narratives. 

From comparisons to Gladiators to speaking on how literature was outlawed, John’s talk with Greg taught him all about Pyre’s approach to seamlessly involving its cast of characters into the narrative. Thanks to sportsmanlike combat and competition, rather than a team-based RPG combat, a naturally strong bond between the PC and the NPCs is formed.

Pyre was something special, and luckily for all of Supergiant’s fans, it wasn’t their last special game either. It was only three years after that Hades would arrive, sending Supergiant’s games once again to the top of everyone’s wish lists. 

Here’s to seeing what’s next for Supergiant Games, even beyond the many accolades the spectacular Hades 2 has received!

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