Antihero
Victorian-themed turn-based strategy with thieves' guild management.
Antihero is a turn-based strategy game with a Victorian setting, blending role-playing and 4X elements. Players command a thieves’ guild, carrying out operations such as stealing goods and blackmailing the wealthy. The game includes a single-player story campaign and asynchronous multiplayer, which lets players run several matches at the same time. It was created by Tim Conkling, who started development in 2013. Initially working alone, Conkling expanded the team to four people by September 2014. The game was submitted to Steam’s Greenlight community voting initiative in 2014, with plans to release an early access version commercially in 2015. Development targeted personal computers and mobile devices, aiming for cross-platform play. Windows and macOS versions were originally scheduled for early 2016 but launched on 10 July 2017, published by Versus Evil. A mobile version is planned for a future release. According to review aggregator Metacritic, the game received generally favorable reviews from professional critics.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Antihero
- Developer
- Tim Conkling
- Publisher
- Versus Evil
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS
- Released
- 10 July 2017
- Genre
- Turn-based strategy
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Antihero was developed by Tim Conkling, with development beginning in 2013. Initially working alone, Conkling expanded the development team to four people by September 2014. In 2014, the game was submitted to Steam's Greenlight community voting initiative. The developers planned to release an in-development version commercially in 2015 through the early access model. The game was being developed for personal computers and mobile devices with the intention of supporting cross-platform play. Windows and macOS versions were planned for early 2016 but were ultimately released on 10 July 2017, with Versus Evil publishing the game. The mobile version is scheduled to be released in the future.
Reader's Guide
Antihero received generally favourable reviews from professional critics, according to the review aggregator Metacritic. The game's significance lies in its blend of turn-based strategy with Victorian-themed thieves' guild operations, incorporating role-playing and 4X elements. Its asynchronous multiplayer feature, enabling multiple simultaneous matches, was a notable design choice. The development process, including a Greenlight campaign and early access model, reflects common indie game release strategies of the period. The planned cross-platform play between PC and mobile devices, though not yet realized for mobile, indicated an ambition to reach a broader audience. The game's reception suggests it was well-regarded within its niche, though its legacy is primarily defined by its unique thematic and mechanical combination rather than broad commercial impact.
Did You Know?
- Antihero was developed primarily by Tim Conkling, who began work in 2013.
- The development team grew from one person to four by September 2014.
- The game was submitted to Steam Greenlight in 2014.
- Windows and macOS versions were released on 10 July 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Antihero?
Antihero is a Victorian-era strategy title in which you run a thieves' guild, planning heists, stealing goods, and blackmailing the wealthy. It blends turn-based tactics with role-playing and 4X management layers.
Who developed Antihero?
Tim Conkling created the game, beginning solo development in 2013 and expanding the team to four people by September 2014. Versus Evil served as the publisher at launch.
What platforms is Antihero available on?
The game runs on Windows and macOS. No console or Linux versions are listed in its official release details.
When was Antihero released?
Antihero hit shelves on July 10, 2017, after first being put forward for Steam Greenlight community voting in 2014.
How does Antihero's multiplayer work?
The game features asynchronous multiplayer, meaning several matches can be running at the same time rather than requiring all players to be online simultaneously. This sits alongside a single-player story campaign.
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