Strategic Decisions and Future Directions
In a significant shift within the gaming landscape, Canadian developer Behaviour Interactive has announced the closure of Midwinter Entertainment, a studio that has been part of its portfolio since 2022. This decision follows the cancellation of Project T, a game that was envisioned as a spin-off of Behaviour’s acclaimed multiplayer horror title, Dead by Daylight.
In a statement provided to GamesIndustry.biz, Behaviour Interactive elaborated on the rationale behind this move. The company conducted a thorough risk assessment from both commercial and product perspectives, which ultimately led to unsatisfactory conclusions regarding the viability of Project T. “Yesterday, Behaviour Interactive announced the cancellation of Project T and the closure of its Midwinter studio in Seattle,” the statement read. It emphasized that this decision does not reflect the talent or dedication of the Midwinter team, who invested considerable effort into the project.
In light of the closure, Behaviour has extended an offer to all Midwinter employees to relocate to its Canadian studios, recognizing their expertise and potential contributions. For those who choose not to make the move, a generous severance package has been promised, reflecting the company’s gratitude for their hard work on Project T. “We want to thank them for all their hard work on Project T and wish them the very best for the future,” the statement concluded.
Midwinter Entertainment was founded in 2016 by veterans from 343 Industries, known for their work on the Halo franchise. The studio initially focused on Scavengers, a project that utilized Improbable’s SpatialOS cloud technology. After being acquired by the London-based startup in 2019, Midwinter faced further changes when Improbable sold the studio to Behaviour, leading to the eventual discontinuation of Scavengers three years later.
