Dead Mage
Dead Mage is a small independent game development studio in Pasadena, California, that creates PC and console games spanning action roguelikes, RPGs, and platformers for gaming consumers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Dead Mage does
Dead Mage is an independent game development studio headquartered in Pasadena, California, operating with a small team of 1-10 employees. Founded circa 2010-2011, the studio develops PC and console video games across multiple genres, including action roguelikes, narrative RPGs, action-platformers, and turn-based RPGs. Its portfolio spans five titles: Garshasp: The Monster Slayer (2011), Shadow Blade: Reload (2015), Children of Morta (2019), Wizard of Legend 2 (2025), and the upcoming Tale of Ronin. The studio's games draw on diverse mythological and cultural settings — ancient Persian, ninja/samurai, and ronin-era Japan — and emphasize rich storytelling, procedural dungeon design, and (in the most recent title) online co-op gameplay.
The studio's core technology is a game development engine (unspecified in source material) supporting both 2D and 3D rendering, with Wizard of Legend 2 representing the studio's move to 3D visuals and 4-player online co-op. Business model is one-time digital game sales via Steam, console digital stores, and publisher partnerships — Humble Games serves as publisher for Wizard of Legend 2, handling press kit, official website, and distribution infrastructure. Go-to-market relies on YouTube trailers, official game websites, and publisher co-marketing rather than paid acquisition. The studio is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or parent company; leadership comprises co-founders Max Moriceau and Charles Moriceau, both designated as CEO & Co-Founder. The customer base is global gaming consumers seeking story-driven action and roguelike experiences.
Dead Mage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dead Mage
- Legal name
- Dead Mage
- Website
- https://deadmage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Dead Mage is a small independent game development studio in Pasadena, California, that creates PC and console games spanning action roguelikes, RPGs, and platformers for gaming consumers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dead Mage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL)
Keywords
Where Dead Mage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Dead Mage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales: Dead Mage generates revenue through one-time game sales across digital distribution platforms. Their portfolio includes action roguelikes, RPGs, and platformers sold as full titles.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Dead Mage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dead Mage is an independent game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes PC and console video games across diverse genres including action roguelikes, story-driven RPGs, turn-based RPGs, and action-platformers. The studio's portfolio consists of five distinct titles: Wizard of Legend 2 (co-op rogue-lite action game), Children of Morta (narrative action RPG), Tale of Ronin (turn-based RPG), Shadow Blade: Reload (ninja action-platformer), and Garshasp: The Monster Slayer (mythological action-adventure). Games are sold as full retail titles through digital distribution platforms.
Product overview
Dead Mage is a game development studio dedicated to crafting immersive worlds and meaningful experiences with a focus on rich storytelling and engaging gameplay. The studio's portfolio consists of five distinct video game products spanning multiple genres: Wizard of Legend 2 (a co-op rogue-lite action game), Children of Morta (a story-driven action RPG with rogue-lite elements), Tale of Ronin (a turn-based RPG about samurai), Shadow Blade: Reload (a ninja-themed action-platformer), and Garshasp: The Monster Slayer (a Persian mythology-based action-adventure game).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wizard of Legend 2 A fast-paced rogue-lite action game and sequel to the acclaimed Wizard of Legend original, featuring vibrant 3D visuals and 4-player online co-op. Players master Arcana, experiment with spell combinations, and face unpredictably perilous trials in the Floating Lands. Released June 12, 2025 and published by Humble Games.
- Children of Morta A story-driven action RPG with rogue-lite character development. Players control the Bergson family of heroes, hack-and-slashing through procedurally generated dungeons against the forthcoming Corruption. Released September 3, 2019.
- Tale of Ronin An upcoming turn-based RPG about the human side of the Samurai. Players live as a Ronin, surviving the consequences of choices in a dynamic world of turmoil and violence. Status: Coming Soon.
- Shadow Blade: Reload An action-platformer set in a visually striking world where ninja and samurai teachings clash upon a modern landscape. Players control Kuro, the blade of shadow, sprinting through stages, slaying enemies and avoiding traps. Released March 11, 2015.
- Garshasp: The Monster Slayer An action-adventure game based on ancient Persian mythology. Players take on the role of Garshasp, the strongest man in Persian Mythology, on a journey of revenge featuring melee combat, platforming, and exploration. Released March 11, 2011.
Companies that use Dead Mage
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Dead Mage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Dead Mage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Humble GamescoreHumble Games serves as the publisher for Wizard of Legend 2, providing press kit infrastructure and official game website hosting. The partnership involves co-marketing with dedicated press kit and website pages for the title.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Dead Mage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Supergiant Games: Independent PC/console studio best known for narrative-driven action RPGs with roguelike elements (Hades, Bastion). Closely comparable to Dead Mage in size, scope, genre (roguelike + narrative RPG), and premium one-time-purchase model.
- Motion Twin: Small French indie studio behind Dead Cells, a flagship action-roguelike. Direct peer given similar team size, roguelike focus, and PC/console digital distribution model.
- Hopoo Games: Indie studio behind Risk of Rain and Risk of Rain 2. Comparable as a small team building roguelike/RPG titles on PC and console with co-op features, sold via digital storefronts.
- Red Hook Studios: Independent studio behind the Darkest Dungeon series — a story-rich RPG with roguelike elements. Highly comparable genre and narrative positioning to Children of Morta and WoL2.
- Stoic Studio: Three-person indie studio behind The Banner Saga, a narrative-driven RPG trilogy. Comparable as a small independent developer of premium, story-focused RPGs on PC and console.
- Mega Crit Games: Small studio behind Slay the Spire, a flagship indie roguelike. Comparable in scale, genre (roguelike), and digital-only distribution via Steam and console storefronts.
- Team Cherry: Tiny Australian indie studio behind Hollow Knight and Silksong. Comparable as a 2-3 person team shipping premium action-adventure games globally via digital platforms.
- Iron Oak Games: Indie studio behind For The King, a turn-based RPG with roguelike elements. Comparable in genre overlap with Dead Mage's RPG/roguelike titles and indie PC/console positioning.
Others
- Humble Games: Publisher of Wizard of Legend 2 and many other indie titles. Adjacent ecosystem participant — represents Dead Mage's current publishing and distribution partner.
Broad incumbents
- Devolver Digital: Large indie-focused publisher carrying many roguelike/RPG titles (e.g., Death's Door, Cult of the Lamb). Comparable as a publishing/distribution counterpart and as a benchmark for how small studios scale commercially through publishing partnerships.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Dead Mage social profiles
Digital presenceDead Mage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dead Mage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Dead Mage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dead Mage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dead Mage
What does Dead Mage do?
Dead Mage is an independent game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes PC and console video games across diverse genres including action roguelikes, story-driven RPGs, turn-based RPGs, and action-platformers. The studio's portfolio consists of five distinct titles: Wizard of Legend 2 (co-op rogue-lite action game), Children of Morta (narrative action RPG), Tale of Ronin (turn-based RPG), Shadow Blade: Reload (ninja action-platformer), and Garshasp: The Monster Slayer (mythological action-adventure). Games are sold as full retail titles through digital distribution platforms.
Is Dead Mage a public or private company?
Dead Mage is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dead Mage founded?
Dead Mage was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Dead Mage based?
Dead Mage is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dead Mage make money?
One revenue line is on record: game Sales.
Who are Dead Mage's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Supergiant Games, Motion Twin, Hopoo Games, Red Hook Studios, Stoic Studio, Mega Crit Games, Team Cherry and Iron Oak Games. Humble Games is listed as an others. Devolver Digital is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Dead Mage have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dead Mage.
What industry is Dead Mage in?
Dead Mage's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7990.