League Of Geeks, the Australian developers best known for their fantasy strategy games, 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 will be taking an extended break, with uncertainty about the future of the studio.
The decision to put League Of Geeks into hibernation was driven by the economic situation in the gaming industry. Despite the positive reception of their recent release, Solium Infernum, the sales were not strong enough to sustain further development or DLC. This, coupled with rising operating costs, the weak Australian dollar, and poor sales of their other projects, led to the difficult decision to take a step back.
Prior to the announcement of hibernation, League Of Geeks had already faced challenges in late 2023. The development of their early access game, Jumplight Odyssey, was paused, and half of the studio was laid off. The hope was to focus on the release of Solium Infernum as a means of securing the studio’s future. However, the lack of investment in Jumplight Odyssey ultimately contributed to the decision to go into hibernation.
Despite the setback, League Of Geeks intends to continue working on Jumplight Odyssey, aiming to bring it out of Early Access within the next 12 months. However, the fully realized version 1.0 release that was originally planned may not be feasible. The game will move forward without the extensive development that was initially envisioned.
League Of Geeks’ decision to go into hibernation reflects the challenges faced by independent studios in the competitive gaming industry. While their future remains uncertain, the dedication and passion that the team has shown in their projects are commendable. With hopes of a potential revival in the future, their decision to take a break and reassess their direction is a necessary step in navigating the ever-changing landscape of game development.
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