League Of Geeks, an Australian game development studio known for their fantasy strategy games like Armello and Solium Infernum, have announced that they are going “into hibernation.” This decision comes after over 13 years of being an independent studio and facing the current economic challenges in the gaming industry. The remaining staff members will be taking an extended break, unsure of when or if they will return to revive the studio.
Solium Infernum, a remake of Cryptic Comet’s niche roleplaying strategy game, was released earlier this year to positive reviews. However, the game did not achieve the sales required to sustain further development or DLC. This lack of financial success has contributed to League Of Geeks’ decision to enter hibernation.
Signs of trouble for League Of Geeks began to surface in late 2023 when the studio paused development of Jumplight Odyssey, a spaceship colony simulation game, and laid off half of their staff. The reasons cited included rising operating costs, a weak Australian dollar, and poor sales. The focus was then shifted to the launch of Solium Infernum as a last-ditch effort to secure the studio’s future.
Jumplight Odyssey’s Fate
Despite efforts to find investment to continue development on Jumplight Odyssey, League Of Geeks have confirmed that the game has not attracted the necessary resources. As a result, they plan to release the game out of Early Access within the next 12 months without the originally planned fully realized v1.0 version.
The decision to put League Of Geeks into hibernation reflects the challenges faced by independent game developers in the ever-evolving industry. Despite their achievements and loyal community support, the studio’s inability to secure financial stability has led to this unforeseen hiatus. Only time will tell if League Of Geeks will rise again from their slumber or if this marks the end of an era for the once-prominent game development studio.
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