Galvanic Games Closes Down Due to Insufficient Sales
Galvanic Games, Indie Developer of "Wizard With a Gun," Shuts Down in Difficult Market Environment
Galvanic Games, a renowned indie developer based in Seattle, is closing its doors due to the inadequate sales of its title "Wizard With a Gun," as announced by studio founder Patrick Morgan. Despite active participation in events like the DICE Summit and Game Developers Conference, the company struggled to secure new projects promptly, leading to this unfortunate decision.
Morgan initially established Galvanic Games in 2015, with "Wizard With a Gun" being one of its standout games, developed in collaboration with indie publisher Devolver Digital. The studio also worked on projects with tinyBuild and the creators of "Cyanide & Happiness" for the satirical battle royale game "Rapture Rejects." The closure of Galvanic Games is part of a larger trend in the video game industry, with over 10,000 developers being laid off since the start of the year, surpassing the record from the previous year. Various factors such as high AAA game development costs, reduced VC investment, market saturation, and the industry's shift towards "games as a service" have contributed to these layoffs.
Key Takeaways
- Galvanic Games is closing due to the underperformance of "Wizard With a Gun."
- Founder Patrick Morgan attributes the closure to challenging market conditions and prolonged project signing processes.
- Ten employees will be laid off, with the company providing job assistance.
- The studio, founded in 2015, also developed "Some Distant Memory" and "Rapture Rejects."
- Over 10,000 game industry jobs have been lost this year, influenced by various market factors.
Analysis
The closure of Galvanic Games sheds light on the tough environment faced by indie developers in the video game industry. High development costs, diminished venture capital, and a saturated market amplify the risks for these developers. The immediate impact of this closure includes the loss of ten jobs, which could have repercussions on the local tech ecosystems. In the long run, this trend might lead to industry consolidation, favoring larger studios and "games as a service" models, potentially hampering innovation and diversity in game offerings.
Did You Know?
- DICE Summit: An annual gathering focused on the interactive entertainment industry, primarily known for video game developers. It stands for Design, Innovate, Communicate, and Entertain. The summit includes awards, networking opportunities, and discussions on game development and business strategies.
- Game Developers Conference (GDC): The largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking. GDC covers various aspects of the game industry, including game design, programming, audio, visual arts, business management, and more.
- Games as a Service (GaaS): A model where games are designed to be continuously updated and monetized after the initial sale, often through in-game purchases, subscriptions, or other ongoing services. This model contrasts with traditional game sales where the product is considered complete upon purchase.