Evil Genius Games Company Profile
Background
Overview
Evil Genius Games is a publisher of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), specializing in cinematic and modern-day adventure systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company has rapidly established itself in the gaming industry. Its flagship product, the Everyday Heroes™ TTRPG, is based on the d20 Modern system and built upon the 5th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset. This system is designed to be compatible with a wide range of officially licensed movie franchise campaigns, allowing players to immerse themselves in various cinematic universes.
Mission and Vision
Evil Genius Games aims to create accessible tools for inclusive and modern gaming experiences. Their vision is to build a welcoming and innovative gaming ecosystem that fosters community and professionalism. Core values guiding this vision include communication, quality, integrity, appreciation, authenticity, and inclusion, ensuring transparency, collaboration, and respect throughout their company and in their interactions with the gaming community.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
The company's primary objective is to develop and publish TTRPGs that blend traditional role-playing elements with cinematic storytelling, offering players the opportunity to engage in adventures inspired by popular films. By leveraging the Everyday Heroes™ rulebook, Evil Genius Games provides a flexible and innovative platform for both home campaigns and officially licensed cinematic adventures.
Areas of Specialization
Evil Genius Games specializes in creating TTRPGs that are compatible with various movie franchises, allowing players to experience adventures set in familiar cinematic worlds. Their products include the Everyday Heroes™ core rulebook and a series of Cinematic Adventures based on films such as "Pacific Rim," "Kong: Skull Island," "Highlander," "Escape from New York," "Total Recall," "Rambo," "Universal Soldier," and "The Crow."
Key Technologies Utilized
The company utilizes the d20 Modern system, which is an open-source version of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition ruleset. This system provides a flexible framework for modern-day adventures and is compatible with a wide range of cinematic settings. By building upon this foundation, Evil Genius Games offers a versatile platform for storytelling and gameplay.
Primary Markets Targeted
Evil Genius Games targets the tabletop gaming community, particularly fans of TTRPGs and movie franchises. Their products appeal to both seasoned role-players and newcomers interested in exploring cinematic adventures through tabletop gaming. The company's offerings are designed to be accessible and engaging for a broad audience, fostering a welcoming and inclusive gaming environment.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
Evil Genius Games has secured a total of $3.62 million in funding over two seed rounds. The most recent funding round was led by Good Trouble VC, with a lead investment of $3 million, contributing to a $5 million seed round. This investment is intended to accelerate the company's mission to build the next generation of participatory entertainment infrastructure.
Utilization of Capital
The capital raised is being utilized to expand the company's product offerings, enhance marketing efforts, and support the development of new cinematic adventures. The funding also supports the growth of the company's team and infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for their products.
Pipeline Development
Key Pipeline Candidates
Evil Genius Games is actively developing new Cinematic Adventures based on popular film franchises. Notable upcoming projects include:
- Zombie Punk Panic!: A cooperative, dice-battling board game inspired by the "Return of the Living Dead" films. The campaign for this game launched on Gamefound on October 30, 2025.
- Return of the Living Dead TTRPG: An official tabletop role-playing game based on the cult-favorite horror franchise, which raised $105,000 from more than 1,100 backers on Kickstarter earlier this year.
Stages of Development
These projects are in various stages of development, with some having completed successful crowdfunding campaigns and others in the planning or production phases. The company is committed to delivering high-quality gaming experiences that resonate with fans of the original films.
Target Conditions and Timelines
Evil Genius Games aims to release these products in alignment with fan expectations and market demand. While specific release dates may vary, the company is focused on ensuring that each product meets the standards of quality and engagement that their audience anticipates.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
The company's proprietary technology includes the Everyday Heroes™ rulebook, which serves as the foundation for their TTRPGs. This system is designed to be adaptable to various cinematic settings, providing a versatile platform for storytelling and gameplay.
Significant Scientific Methods
Evil Genius Games employs a collaborative approach to game design, integrating feedback from both players and creators to refine gameplay mechanics and narrative elements. This iterative process ensures that their products are both innovative and responsive to the preferences of their audience.
Leadership Team
Key Executives
- David T. Scott: Founder and CEO of Evil Genius Games. With a background in computer science and an MBA from The Wharton School, David has a history of leading successful tech startups. He has also held executive roles at Amazon, Twitter, AT&T, and Oracle, focusing on transformative marketing campaigns and strategies.
Leadership Changes
As of April 2026, there have been no publicly disclosed significant changes or appointments within the company's leadership team.
