

GameSpot described its gameplay and style as 'chaotic' and 'unabashedly lowbrow', in light of an objective based on destroying fecal matter. PC Gamer noted the game's zaniness and the enjoyment of playing it. They added that it was the funniest title at the PAX East expo. In an early 2015 preview, Polygon wrote that the game's control scheme appeared to balance accessibility for newcomers and tactical options for veterans. On February 21, it was announced that the game would release March 2. In a blog post, The Behemoth announced that they are aiming to release the game in the first few months of 2018. Steam Early Access and Xbox One Game Preview program versions were launched on January 13, 2017. They released its first trailer a year later, and ran a private beta test in September 2016.


The team teased its reveal in August 2014, when it debuted as a playable demo at the PAX Prime exposition. While the genre was new for the developer, the game retained their signature style. By 2014, the game had become a 'fast-paced, turn-based, co-op adventure with management and role-playing game elements' in development for Xbox One and Steam. This was a new genre for the company, which had established itself with action games. Behemoth set out to make a team-based game, and developed its strategy gameplay elements over time-the grid-based combat was raised several months into development. Its original arena-centered concept was titled 'Pit People'. The new game was designed to continue its predecessor's story, and both prominently feature a 'space bear'. As BattleBlock Theater approached its April 2013 release, the company began work on Pit People under the codename 'Game 4' (the studio's fourth game). The success of their prior games- Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, and BattleBlock Theater-established their reputation as an indie game developer. The Behemoth, founded in 2003 and based in San Diego, California, is known for making games with offbeat humor and a signature cartoon art style.
