Summary
- UK publisher Merge Games has announced its closure after 15 years.
- The indie publisher released the popular titles Dead Cells and Darkest Dungeon for consoles.
- Management of Merge Games' upcoming titles will now be handled by its parent company, Maximum Entertainment.
UK-based publisher Merge Games has announced its imminent shutdown. The team recently released Selfloss, a well-received indie game inspired by Icelandic and Slavic folklore, as well as Smalland: Survive the Wilds, an open-world survival crafting title.
In early September, Merge Games revealed the closure of its single office located in the English village of Chelford, a move that resulted in an unspecified number of employees being laid off. Christina Seelye, the CEO of Merge Games' parent company Maximum Entertainment, said this was all part of consolidation efforts that required cost-cutting measures like staff redundancies. Weeks after that round of video game industry layoffs was announced, Merge Games has notified the public of its complete shutdown.
Studio Behind Some of the Best PSP Games Ever is Shutting Down
The studio behind iconic PlayStation titles like Daxter, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and The Order: 1886 is closing its doors forever.
In a new statement, Merge Games states that it's closing up shop after 15 years. The studio, which started with a 22-member team, claimed it successfully managed to bring hundreds of indie gems to storefronts across the world. Merge Games' releases include the fairy tale horror game Bramble: The Mountain King, the fantasy crafting experience Smalland: Survive the Wilds, and the cozy life simulator SunnySide. It was also responsible for publishing the physical versions of titles like Darkest Dungeon and Dead Cells on consoles.
Indie Publisher Merge Games Officially Closes Down
Management of Merge Games' upcoming titles will now be handled by Maximum Entertainment. Prior to its closure, Merge Games was set to release Kappa Bits' Pixelshire and Infuse Studio's Spirit of the North 2. The latter was revealed at the October 2023 Xbox Partner Preview, which also showcased Alan Wake 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Konami's upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Maximum Entertainment previously handled the physical releases of the hit multiplayer game Among Us as well as Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. Its 2024 catalog features Paleo Pines, Squirrel with a Gun, and Until Then. Seelye claimed in February that Maximum Entertainment’s roadmap featured 100 games, including 15 titles based on self-owned properties. She also revealed a partnership with Paramount Game Studios to develop an Avatar: The Last Airbender multiplayer fighting game. Maximum Entertainment began consolidating its development and publishing arms under a single umbrella in 2023.
Just weeks before Merge Games announced its shutdown, Maximum Entertainment stated in a report that Seelye had demanded payment amounting to nearly $7 million for the company's previous acquisitions. Maximum COO Thierry Bonnefoi also asked for payment amounting to $1 million.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 76%
- Released
- April 27, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Dimfrost
- Publisher(s)
- Dimfrost, Merge Games Limited
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables.
Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.
Bramble The Mountain King takes you on a gripping and unsettling journey through stunning environments. Take on the role of Olle, a young boy setting off to rescue his sister, kidnapped by a dreaded troll.
Not everything in Bramble is exactly how it seems - in this strange land with creatures big and small, you must be careful when to approach and when to hide. Many hungry and spiteful beasts lurk in these forests and caves. Watch your step....
Call upon the Spark of Courage, an enchanted fragment granting the gifts you need to endure the pitfalls and trials in your path. Defeat the horrid creatures you encounter in different and unique ways. Be warned, courage without kindness can take you down a dark path.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 5 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 7 GB (November 2023)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
