Rogue Snail
Rogue Snail is a fully remote Brazilian game studio developing co-op shooters, roguelike ARPGs, and action games for PC, console, and mobile, serving global gaming audiences across the Relic Hunters franchise and Hell Clock.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPouso Alegre, Brazil
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Rogue Snail does
Rogue Snail is a fully remote, privately held game development studio headquartered in Pouso Alegre, Brazil, founded in September 2014. The studio builds a portfolio of action, shooter, ARPG, and roguelike games across PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, iOS/Android, and the Netflix mobile gaming platform, with a core franchise around the Relic Hunters universe (Pinky, Jimmy, Raff, Ace, and related characters battling the Ducan empire). Its product line includes Hell Clock (a Brazilian-history-themed roguelike ARPG launched 1.0 on Steam in July 2025), Relic Hunters Legend (a co-op shooter/looter RPG in Steam Early Access, published by Gearbox), Relic Hunters Rebels (Netflix mobile exclusive), Relic Hunters Zero and Zero: Remix, and Star Vikings Forever.
The studio's technical approach is built on a proprietary mix of 2D and 3D visual styles with top-down shooter combat, ARPG progression, and roguelike loops. Differentiated in-engine systems include the Relic customization system (collect-and-combine item building), a proprietary Combat Rating system balancing player attack vs. enemy defense with normalized and uncapped modes, and the Item World endgame system for affix manipulation. Despite a headcount in the high-20s, the studio has shipped or maintained live operations across six titles over eleven years and secured GDC, BNDES, BIG Festival, and NYX recognitions.
Rogue Snail monetizes through a mix of one-time paid game licenses priced $14.99-$34.99 USD (with regional BRL pricing), premium DLC and Supporter/Collector's Editions ($19.99-$29.99), a free-to-play model with cosmetics/convenience microtransactions on Relic Hunters Legend, and a licensing/royalty arrangement with Netflix for Relic Hunters Rebels. Distribution is product-led via Steam, Nintendo eShop, and mobile stores, layered with community-led growth through franchise-specific Discord servers, a developer blog, newsletter, and YouTube/TikTok social channels. Key channel partners include Gearbox Publishing (publisher for Relic Hunters Legend, providing development funding and publishing support) and Netflix (exclusive mobile distribution for Relic Hunters Rebels).
Rogue Snail firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rogue Snail
- Legal name
- Rogue Snail
- Website
- https://roguesnail.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Rogue Snail is a fully remote Brazilian game studio developing co-op shooters, roguelike ARPGs, and action games for PC, console, and mobile, serving global gaming audiences across the Relic Hunters franchise and Hell Clock.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rogue Snail industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Goods & Digital Item Commerce (skins, cosmetics, DLC) (MPAFAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Game Marketplaces & Item Economies (NFT/Skins/Trading) (BPAMAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Rogue Snail is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pouso Alegre
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rogue Snail business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Game Sales: Direct sales of full games and expansions through Steam, Nintendo Switch eShop, and mobile app stores. Pricing includes base game sales and supporter/collector's editions.
- Premium DLC and Content Packs: Additional content packs (Heroic Content Upgrade Pack) offering digital comic books, character skins, and exclusive accessories at $19.99 USD.
- Free-to-Play Base Model: Relic Hunters Legend operates on free-to-play model with cosmetic and convenience microtransactions. Studio manifesto emphasizes no pay-to-win mechanics.
- Netflix Partnership: Relic Hunters Rebels distributed exclusively through Netflix mobile platform, generating revenue through licensing/partnership arrangement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hell Clock Standard Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hell Clock Supporter's Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Relic Hunters Legend Rebel Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Relic Hunters Legend Heroic Content Upgrade Pack |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Relic Hunters Legend Legendary Edition |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Rogue Snail product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rogue Snail develops and publishes a portfolio of video games, led by the Relic Hunters franchise (top-down cooperative shooter/looter RPGs and 2D twin-stick roguelikes) and Star Vikings Forever, plus the dark roguelike ARPG Hell Clock inspired by Brazil's War of Canudos. Titles are sold directly to consumers through Steam, the Nintendo Switch eShop, mobile app stores, and an exclusive Netflix mobile channel, with both one-time premium editions and a free-to-play model featuring cosmetic microtransactions.
Product overview
Rogue Snail is a fully remote game studio from Brazil that develops and publishes a portfolio of games centered around the Relic Hunters franchise and other titles. The core product line includes Hell Clock (a dark roguelike ARPG), Relic Hunters Legend (an online co-op shooter/looter RPG in Early Access), Relic Hunters Rebels (mobile-exclusive shooter/RPG on Netflix), Relic Hunters Zero (free-to-play twin-stick roguelike), Relic Hunters Zero: Remix (Nintendo Switch remaster), and Star Vikings Forever (puzzle/RPG). The Relic Hunters titles share a universe featuring characters like Pinkyy, Jimmy, Raff, Ace, Seven, and Panzer battling the Ducan empire, while Hell Clock represents a new direction inspired by Brazilian history.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hell Clock Dark roguelike Action RPG inspired by Brazil's 19th century War of Canudos; players control Pajeú, a formerly enslaved person in demon-filled purgatory, with ultra-fast Path-of-Exile-like action, roguelike mechanics, 3-Act Campaign, Ascension Endgame, Relaxed and Hardcore modes. Sold to consumers on Steam.
- Relic Hunters Legend Online cooperative shooter/looter RPG supporting up to 4 players, with fast-paced top-down combat, an innovative 2D/3D visual mix, 42 multiplayer missions, 21 story missions, 5+ unlockable Hunters, deep Relics-based customization, and a time-travel narrative. Published by Gearbox Publishing; currently in Steam Early Access with a free-to-play base and cosmetic microtransactions.
- Relic Hunters Rebels Mobile-exclusive shooter/looter/RPG featuring characters Pinkyy, Jimmy, Raff, and Ace fighting the Ducan empire, collecting weapons, crafting, and uncovering a story about rival tribes uniting against a common threat. Available exclusively through Netflix to its subscribers at no additional cost.
- Relic Hunters Zero Free-to-play 2D twin-stick shooting roguelike with multiple game modes, power-ups, abundant weapons, and unique characters; players control Relic Hunters recovering ancient relics from the Ducans. Sold as a free-to-play title on Steam.
- Relic Hunters Zero: Remix Remastered version of Relic Hunters Zero released for Nintendo Switch (and PC) with new weapons, relics, soundtrack, and character skins; fast roguelike shooting gameplay following the Spaceheart crew.
- Star Vikings Forever Humorous Puzzle/RPG where players build a team of space-faring Vikings to combat intergalactic snails, featuring puzzle gameplay with quasi-turn-based mechanics and character progression. Sold on Steam and mobile app stores.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% Kickstarter funding for Relic Hunters Legend (November 2017)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Rogue Snail
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Rogue Snail technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rogue Snail partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NetflixcoreNetflix serves as exclusive mobile distribution partner for Relic Hunters Rebels. The game launched on Netflix in May 2022 as a mobile-exclusive shooter/looter/RPG with new DLC content released for subscribers.
- Gearbox PublishingcoreGearbox Publishing serves as the publisher for Relic Hunters Legend. This partnership enabled the studio to hire new talent and secure development funding, ensuring the game would be released with all planned content. Gearbox has proven to be an incredible partner providing publishing support, funding, and industry expertise.
- Akupa GamesminorAkupa Games handles press kit distribution for Relic Hunters Zero and other titles. Provides press kit hosting and distribution services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rogue Snail competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Moon Studios: Independent developer behind Ori and the Blind Forest/Will of the Wisps, top-down action-platformer ARPGs. Comparable as a privately held independent studio with high-quality action titles and remote-friendly structure.
- Supergiant Games: Independent studio behind Hades, Hades II, Bastion, and Transistor. Closely comparable as a small-to-mid independent developer focused on critically acclaimed action/roguelike games with strong art direction and community engagement.
- Hopoo Games: Independent studio behind Risk of Rain and Risk of Rain 2, both roguelike action games with multiplayer and loot-driven progression. Comparable team size and product/market overlap.
- Thunder Lotus Games: Independent studio behind Spiritfarer, Jotun, and Hades-adjacent titles. Comparable mid-sized independent developer focused on narrative-driven action games with distinctive art direction.
- Motion Twin: French indie cooperative studio behind Dead Cells, a flagship roguelike action game with similar monetization philosophy (paid base game + cosmetic DLC). Comparable team size and product category overlap.
- Mega Crit Games: Small indie studio behind Slay the Spire and Slay the Spire 2, roguelike deckbuilders. Comparable as a small independent developer of high-profile, mechanically deep roguelike games with strong community followings.
- Yacht Club Games: Independent studio behind Shovel Knight, an action-platformer franchise. Comparable as a small independent developer with a beloved flagship IP that expanded across multiple titles and platforms.
- Re-Logic: Independent developer of Terraria, a long-running sandbox/looter action game with cross-platform reach. Comparable as a privately held indie studio with a deep catalog and loyal community.
- WayForward: Independent studio behind the Shantae series and many licensed platformers. Comparable as a privately held indie developer of action games targeting multi-platform distribution including Nintendo Switch.
Emerging players
- Klei Entertainment: Independent developer behind Don't Starve, Mark of the Ninja, and Hades-adjacent survival/roguelike titles. Comparable as an established indie studio with multiple successful IPs and ongoing live-service titles.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rogue Snail social profiles
Digital presenceRogue Snail financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rogue Snail leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Rogue Snail funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rogue Snail 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 Rogue Snail
What does Rogue Snail do?
Rogue Snail develops and publishes a portfolio of video games, led by the Relic Hunters franchise (top-down cooperative shooter/looter RPGs and 2D twin-stick roguelikes) and Star Vikings Forever, plus the dark roguelike ARPG Hell Clock inspired by Brazil's War of Canudos. Titles are sold directly to consumers through Steam, the Nintendo Switch eShop, mobile app stores, and an exclusive Netflix mobile channel, with both one-time premium editions and a free-to-play model featuring cosmetic microtransactions.
Is Rogue Snail a public or private company?
Rogue Snail is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rogue Snail founded?
Rogue Snail was founded in 2014.
Where is Rogue Snail based?
Rogue Snail is headquartered in Pouso Alegre, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does Rogue Snail make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are premium DLC and Content Packs, free-to-Play Base Model and netflix Partnership.
Who are Rogue Snail's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Moon Studios, Supergiant Games, Hopoo Games, Thunder Lotus Games, Motion Twin, Mega Crit Games, Yacht Club Games, Re-Logic and WayForward. Klei Entertainment is listed as an emerging player.
Does Rogue Snail have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rogue Snail.
What industry is Rogue Snail in?
Rogue Snail's product category is Independent Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAJAF, Virtual Goods & Digital Item Commerce (skins, cosmetics, DLC), with a secondary code of BPAMAKAJ, Digital Game Marketplaces & Item Economies (NFT/Skins/Trading). Its NAICS code is 5132.