17-BIT
17-BIT is a privately held, Seattle-based indie video game studio (founded 2010, 1–10 employees) developing critically reviewed titles such as Skulls of the Shogun, GALAK-Z, Song in the Smoke, and AWAYSIS, distributed globally through Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Oculus, and Xbox storefronts to indie and VR gaming enthusiasts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What 17-BIT does
17-BIT is a privately held independent video game development studio headquartered in Seattle, founded in 2010 and operating with a small team of 1–10 employees. The studio designs and develops multiple distinct game titles spanning turn-based strategy, 2D space shooters, VR survival adventures, and an upcoming Xbox-targeted game, distributed globally through major digital storefronts including Steam, Nintendo Switch eShop, PlayStation Store, Oculus Store (Quest/Rift), Xbox, and Gameclub.IO. Its catalog includes Skulls of the Shogun (a 16-bit-inspired turn-based strategy game), GALAK-Z (a 2D physics-simulated space shooter), and Song in the Smoke (a VR survival title featuring physics-based melee combat, hands-on crafting, and AI-driven enemy behavior).
The studio's technology stack centers on a VR game development engine supporting physics-based melee combat simulation, intelligent creature AI, and overlapping survival simulation systems (campfire management, health/wounds, hunting/stealth, crafting). Song in the Smoke specifically targets immersive VR interactions such as physically bringing food to the avatar's mouth, carving wood with hand tools, and striking rock to build fire. Distribution is achieved entirely through third-party marketplaces with no proprietary storefront, and revenue is generated exclusively via one-time license/sale of individual games, with no disclosed subscription, live-service, or recurring pricing layer. Customer segments are primarily two horizontally-targeted personas: indie game enthusiasts drawn to retro-styled mechanics (16-bit era homage, 80s arcade shooters) and VR gaming enthusiasts on major headsets. The company is led by Founder, Creative Director, and Art Director Jake Kazdal, with Raj Joshi serving as COO. Recent activity includes a 2025 demo release of AWAYSIS on Xbox and showcasing at BitSummit XIII in Kyoto, indicating ongoing product development despite the studio's micro-scale headcount and absence of disclosed external funding.
17-BIT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 17-BIT
- Website
- https://17-bit.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- 17-BIT is a privately held, Seattle-based indie video game studio (founded 2010, 1–10 employees) developing critically reviewed titles such as Skulls of the Shogun, GALAK-Z, Song in the Smoke, and AWAYSIS, distributed globally through Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Oculus, and Xbox storefronts to indie and VR gaming enthusiasts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
17-BIT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Casual/Hypercasual Game Studios (MPAFAAAG)
Keywords
Where 17-BIT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
17-BIT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Video Game Sales: 17-BIT generates revenue through direct sales of its video game titles on major digital distribution platforms including Steam, Nintendo Switch eShop, PlayStation Store, and Oculus Store. Games are sold as one-time purchases with no recurring subscription required.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels4 records
17-BIT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
17-BIT is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes indie games across multiple platforms including PC, console, and VR. Its portfolio spans turn-based strategy (Skulls of the Shogun), 2D space shooters (GALAK-Z), VR survival (Song in the Smoke), and action titles (AWAYSIS), sold as one-time digital purchases on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Oculus, and Xbox storefronts.
Product overview
17-BIT is an independent video game development studio that creates immersive gaming experiences across multiple platforms. The company's portfolio includes AWAYSIS (Xbox demo), Song in the Smoke (VR survival game for Steam/Oculus/PSVR), GALAK-Z (2D space combat shooter), and Skulls of the Shogun (turn-based strategy). These products represent a diverse range of genres from survival adventures to arcade-style shooters, with Song in the Smoke being their flagship VR title featuring physics-based combat and crafting systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Song in the Smoke VR survival game set in a dangerous natural environment where players use bare hands to craft weapons, tools, and clothing while defending against predators. Features physics-based melee combat, bow mechanics, campfire systems, crafting, and survival elements across forests, meadows, and mountain passes. Available on Steam, Oculus Quest/Rift, and PSVR.
- GALAK-Z 2D space combat shooter that pays homage to 1980s arcade shooters and Japanese anime sci-fi. Features hyper-responsive controls, physics-based simulation, intelligent AI enemies, modular power-ups, rogue-lite gameplay, and fully voice-acted narrative. Available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Oculus Rift.
- Skulls of the Shogun Fast-paced turn-based strategy game set in a samurai afterlife universe. Players join forces with ghost-samurai warriors, magical animal monks, and mustachioed samurai generals. Inspired by 16-bit era classics with fighting-game mechanics. Available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Gameclub.IO.
- AWAYSIS Action video game developed by 17-BIT, with a demo available on the Xbox platform. Featured at BitSummit XIII gaming convention in Kyoto, Japan.
Quantifiable outcome
- Skulls of the Shogun received 5/5 (Joystiq), 9/10 (Eurogamer), 8.6/10 (Gametrailers)
Companies that use 17-BIT
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
17-BIT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
17-BIT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- AwaysisminorAwaysis is a related entity linked on 17-BIT's website. The relationship appears to involve shared development or publishing ties, with Awaysis maintaining its own presence at awaysis.jp and having a press kit available through 17-BIT's press resources.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
17-BIT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heart Machine: Indie developer of Hyper Light Drifter and Hyper Light Breaker — comparable as a small studio producing stylized action titles with a distinctive aesthetic on PC and console platforms.
- Polytron Corporation: Independent developer of Fez — comparable to 17-BIT as a small indie studio focused on distinctive, retro-inspired 2D/2.5D platformers with cross-platform distribution.
- The Behemoth: Independent studio behind Castle Crashers, BattleBlock Theater and Pit People — directly comparable to 17-BIT's Skulls of the Shogun in tone, humor, and turn-based/beat-em-up crossover on Xbox and other console platforms.
- Klei Entertainment: Independent developer of Don't Starve, Mark of the Ninja and Oxygen Not Included — comparable to 17-BIT's Song in the Smoke as a small studio crafting deep survival games with layered simulation mechanics on multiple platforms.
- Supergiant Games: Critically acclaimed independent studio behind Bastion, Transistor, Hades and Pyre — directly comparable as a small, founder-led indie studio with multi-title cross-platform portfolio and strong review pedigree.
- Yacht Club Games: Independent developer of Shovel Knight and other retro-styled games — highly comparable as a small team producing 16-bit-era-inspired titles with multi-platform distribution and enduring back-catalog sales.
- Mossmouth: Independent studio founded by Derek Yu behind Spelunky and Spelunky 2 — directly comparable as a small indie developer of roguelike/rogue-lite titles distributed across PC and console platforms with a long-running catalog.
- Drinkbox Studios: Independent developer of Guacamelee and Nobody Saves the World — comparable as a small indie studio with multi-platform distribution, stylized action gameplay, and a multi-title catalog.
- Other Ocean Interactive: Independent developer of retro-styled titles (e.g., Retro Game Challenge, Big Blue Bubble collaborations) — comparable to 17-BIT for its retro/nostalgic aesthetic focus and multi-platform indie portfolio.
Emerging players
- Boneloaf: Developer of VR title Vacation Simulator and other VR-exclusive experiences — comparable to 17-BIT's Song in the Smoke as a small studio with VR survival/immersive simulation titles on Meta Quest and Steam VR.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
17-BIT social profiles
Digital presence17-BIT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
17-BIT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
17-BIT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
17-BIT 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 17-BIT
What does 17-BIT do?
17-BIT is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and self-publishes indie games across multiple platforms including PC, console, and VR. Its portfolio spans turn-based strategy (Skulls of the Shogun), 2D space shooters (GALAK-Z), VR survival (Song in the Smoke), and action titles (AWAYSIS), sold as one-time digital purchases on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Oculus, and Xbox storefronts.
Is 17-BIT a public or private company?
17-BIT is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 17-BIT founded?
17-BIT was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is 17-BIT based?
17-BIT is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does 17-BIT make money?
One revenue line is on record: video Game Sales.
Who are 17-BIT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heart Machine, Polytron Corporation, The Behemoth, Klei Entertainment, Supergiant Games, Yacht Club Games, Mossmouth, Drinkbox Studios and Other Ocean Interactive. Boneloaf is listed as an emerging player.
Does 17-BIT have an API?
No public API is recorded for 17-BIT.
What industry is 17-BIT in?
17-BIT's product category is Indie Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAG, Casual/Hypercasual Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 3944.