Merge Games is shutting down

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Key things

  • British publisher Merge Games has announced its exit after 15 years.
  • The indie publisher released popular titles Dead Cells and Darkest Dungeon for consoles.
  • Merge Games' upcoming titles will now be managed by its parent company Maximum Entertainment.



UK based publisher Merge games announced its imminent closure. The team recently released Losing yourselfa well-received indie game inspired by Icelandic and Slavic folklore, as well as Smalland: Surviving the Wildan open world survival title.

In early September, Merge Games revealed the closure of its sole office in the English village of Chelford, resulting in the layoffs of an unspecified number of employees. Christina Seelye, CEO of Merge Games' parent company Maximum Entertainment, said it was all part of a consolidation effort that required cost-cutting measures such as layoffs. Weeks after a round of video game industry layoffs was announced, Merge Games went public with its complete shutdown.


In a new statement, Merge Games says it's closing up shop after 15 years. The studio, which started with a team of 22, claimed to have successfully brought hundreds of indie gems to stores around the world. Merge Games releases include a fairytale horror gameBramble: King of the Mountainsa fantasy creation experience Smalland: Surviving the Wildand a cozy life simulator SunnySide. It was also responsible for releasing physical versions of titles such as Darkest Dungeon and Dead cells on consoles.


Indie Publisher Merge Games is officially ending

Turn off game merging

Merge Games' upcoming titles will now be managed by Maximum Entertainment. Before 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 was also introduced Alan Wake 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthand the upcoming remake by Konami Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.


Maximum Entertainment previously handled the physical release of the hit multiplayer game Between us as well as Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. Its catalog features 2024 Paleo Pines, Squirrel with a gunand Until. Seelye claimed in February that Maximum Entertainment's plan included 100 games, including 15 titles based on proprietary properties. She also revealed a partnership with Paramount Game Studios to develop the game Avatar: The Last Airbender multiplayer fighting game. Maximum Entertainment began consolidating its development and publishing arms under one roof in 2023.


Just weeks before Merge games announced its termination, Maximum Entertainment said in a statement that Seelye demanded payment of nearly $7 million for the company's previous acquisitions. Maximum COO Thierry Bonnefoi also asked for a $1 million payment.

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