Stoic (company)

Stoic is an independent video game developer and animation studio based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2012 by three former BioWare developers - Arnie Jorgensen, John Watson, and Alex Thomas - Stoic is primarily known for creating The Banner Saga trilogy, a critically acclaimed series of tactical role-playing games (RPGs) inspired by Norse mythology.

The company was formed after the founders left BioWare in search of more creative control and the opportunity to work on a smaller, more personal project. They sought to combine the tactical depth of games like Final Fantasy Tactics with a narrative-driven experience reminiscent of BioWare's RPGs, all wrapped in a distinct art style inspired by Eyvind Earle's work on the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty.

Stoic's initial funding for The Banner Saga came through a successful Kickstarter campaign, which garnered significant attention due to the team's pedigree and the game's striking visuals. The success of the Kickstarter allowed Stoic to develop and release the first game in 2014.

The studio continued to develop and release the remaining installments of The Banner Saga trilogy, with The Banner Saga 2 launching in 2016 and The Banner Saga 3 concluding the series in 2018. All three games were well-received for their engaging tactical combat, compelling narrative, and distinctive art style. The company's focus has been almost entirely on this saga, building a strong identity around the unique world and mechanics they established.

Stoic's approach emphasizes collaboration and a commitment to artistic integrity. They have maintained a relatively small team size, allowing for a more direct and personal development process. Their reliance on crowd-funding and self-publishing has also allowed them to retain greater creative control over their intellectual property.

As of late 2023, Stoic has not announced any new projects following the completion of The Banner Saga trilogy.