Piranha Bytes, the developer of collection reminiscent of Elex, Gothic, and Risen, has been shut down. The studio was owned by Embracer, which had been searching for a purchaser for the German developer as a part of its ongoing cost-cutting restructuring following failed $2 billion take care of Saudi Arabia-backed Savvy Video games Group final 12 months.
It was reported that Pirahna Bytes was on the lookout for a brand new writer following job cuts final 12 months. In January, following a interval of radio silence and inactivity from the studio, CEO Micahel Rüve addressed stories of an impending closure by stating the corporate was in a “troublesome scenario” whereas expressing optimism about discovering a accomplice by saying, “Don’t write us off but!”
Nonetheless, German web site GameStar (as surfaced by Eurogamer) printed a narrative reporting the studio was formally shut down in late June. Regardless of this report, there nonetheless has not been an official announcement of closure from Embracer or Pirahna (the studio’s web site stays inactive, nonetheless), and particulars about what precisely occurred are scarce. Sport Informer has contacted Pirahna’s writer THQ Nordic for remark and can replace this story with a response ought to we obtain one.
Nonetheless, earlier at the moment, Pirahna leaders Björn Pankratz and Jenny Pankratz introduced the formation of Pithead Studio, a brand new indie studio. In an announcement video, the pair acknowledges Pirahna’s silence over the previous few months and says they plan to reply questions on Pithead’s founding on their YouTube channel beginning every Monday.
Piranha Bytes was based in 1997 and is maybe finest recognized for creating the Gothic collection. The studio additionally developed the three Risen titles and the Elex collection; its ultimate launch was Elex II in 2022. A remake of Gothic 1 is at present in growth by a unique studio, Alkimia Interactive. Piranha Bytes was acquired by THQ Nordic in 2019, itself a publishing subsidiary of Embracer Group.
If true, this information would signify the newest Embracer casualty following the closure of Alone within the Darkish developer Items Interactive final month. After months of layoffs, studio closures (together with Saints Row developer Volition Video games and Timesplitters developer Free Radical), and promoting off its properties. In April, Embracer break up itself into three corporations: Center-earth & Mates, Espresso Stain & Mates, and Asmodee.