Wicked Saints Studios

High-Level Overview

Wicked Saints Studios is a Black/Female-led video game studio founded in 2020, headquartered in Medford, Oregon, that develops interactive story games blending behavioral technology with activism to promote positive real-world change.[1][2][3][5] Their flagship product, World Reborn, is the world's first adventure-activism mobile game—a free app featuring graphic novel-style visuals, augmented reality (AR) quests, and real-life actions that fuel in-game progress, targeting Gen Z players passionate about planetary issues, equality, and mental health.[1][2][6] The studio serves gamers and young activists, solving the problem of engaging youth in social movements through "wickedly fun and actively good" experiences that combine gaming pleasure with behavioral nudges for good.[2][3][5] Backed by seed funding including $3.5 million and investors like Origins Fund, they emerged from Niantic's incubator (makers of Pokémon GO) and continue to attract interest from nonprofits and brands.[2][3]

Origin Story

Wicked Saints Studios was co-founded in 2020 by Jessica Murrey (CEO) and Alicia Clifton (COO), a Black/Female-led team challenging gaming industry norms.[2][3][5] Murrey, with a decade in nonprofits training young activists, and Clifton, a behavioral change researcher, identified mobile gaming as a novel way to scale activism after recognizing teens' deep concerns for the planet, equality, and mental health but limited engagement channels.[3][5] The idea crystallized post-Niantic incubator, leading to World Reborn as their debut—a real fantasy game where players' real-life quests via AR advance the story.[2][6] Early traction included seed investment from Origins Fund ($100k-$500k range) and a $3.5M raise for expansion, validating their unique fusion of behavioral tech and gaming.[2][3]

Core Differentiators

• Behavioral Technology Integration: Leverages psychology to drive positive real-world behaviors, embedding AR quests that link in-game choices to actual actions, unlike traditional games.[1][2][5]
• Adventure-Activism Model: Pioneers "adventure activism" in World Reborn, merging graphic novel storytelling, mixed-reality, and social movements for fun, meaningful play—described as "Pokémon GO for young activists."[2][3][6]
• Diverse, Inclusive Leadership: Black/Female-led studio bucks industry norms, fostering "radically collective" narratives that celebrate differences to build thriving worlds.[5]
• Community and Impact Focus: Combines gaming with "common ground activism" and good stories to captivate players, drawing global nonprofits and brands while prioritizing developer and player experiences in mobile AR.[3][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Wicked Saints rides the wave of gamified activism and AR social impact, capitalizing on Gen Z's demand for purpose-driven entertainment amid rising climate, equality, and mental health awareness.[3][5] Timing aligns with AR/VR growth post-Pokémon GO and Niantic's ecosystem, plus surging interest in behavioral tech for change—evidenced by their incubator exit and funding from consumer tech VCs like Origins Fund.[2] Market forces like nonprofit-brand partnerships and mobile gaming's dominance (e.g., free-to-play models) favor them, positioning Wicked Saints to influence the ecosystem by proving games can drive real activism, inspiring diverse creators and expanding interactive media beyond pure entertainment.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Wicked Saints Studios is poised to scale World Reborn into a movement-defining app, leveraging its $3.5M funding for team growth and global reach while deepening AR integrations for broader quests.[3][6] Trends like AI-enhanced behavioral nudges, Web3 activism rewards, and inclusive gaming will shape their path, potentially amplifying influence through partnerships with top brands and nonprofits.[3][5] As pioneers in fun-for-good gaming, they could redefine interactive media, turning players into real-world changemakers and solidifying their role at the nexus of tech, entertainment, and social progress—proving that games can indeed build a better world.[2][5]