The Good Evil

The Good Evil is an independent Cologne-based game development studio and serious-games consultancy working at the intersection of game design, educational pedagogy and transformational media. Founded in 2013, it develops interactive software for consumer audiences and institutional partners, with work focused on learning, culture, public-interest communication and vocational training.

The studio develops games and software from concept and prototyping through production, art, animation and multi-platform release. Its technical capabilities include Unity and C# development, custom tooling, software architecture, and virtual- and augmented-reality simulations.

Games and learning experiences

Original projects include the children's English-learning adventure Squirrel & Bär, its follow-up Squirrel & Bär: Wintersause, and the co-operative adventure Rascal's Escape (Frechdachs auf Reisen). Rascal's Escape has been released for Nintendo Switch, Steam, mobile platforms and Mac, while Squirrel & Bär was designed for younger learners.

The studio also applies game-based methods to specialist training and education. MARLA – Masters of Malfunction, developed with TU Berlin, is a VR training simulation in which apprentices diagnose faults in offshore wind turbines. Its work also includes literacy, renewable-energy and public-interest interactive projects.

Collaborative work

Alongside original games, The Good Evil undertakes commissioned work for broadcasters, publishers, cultural institutions, foundations and educational organizations. Supported collaborators include WDR, KiKA, Deutsche Welle, RTL, Stiftung Lesen, Bastei Lübbe, Beltz & Gelberg, Historisches Museum Basel and the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung NRW.

The company is also a consortium partner in the EFRE-funded KIMO project with TH Köln and ART+COM. Its combination of original game production, commissioned interactive work and applied research reflects an emphasis on practical, audience-specific digital learning experiences.