Galvanic Games, the indie studio behind the recently released Wizard with a Gun, has announced its closure. The game, a top-down co-op roguelite that features wizards wielding firearms, received praise for its engaging gameplay and efficient design. Despite its positive reception, the sales figures were insufficient to keep the studio afloat.
“Despite the promising start of Wizard with a Gun, sales are not strong enough to sustain our studio,” Galvanic Games founder and president Patrick Morgan shared on LinkedIn. “This last year has been particularly tough for games. While we had numerous encouraging conversations at DICE and GDC, the process of signing new projects, even in a good year, takes longer than the runway we had left.”
Industry-Wide Challenges
The closure of Galvanic Games is a stark reminder of the precarious nature of the game industry. Regardless of a team's talent or the quality of their game, financial stability remains elusive. This year alone has seen significant upheaval, with numerous studios facing layoffs or shutting down entirely.
In February, an in-depth analysis revealed that 16,000 game industry layoffs had occurred over the course of 2023. Shockingly, 2024 is on track to surpass this figure. June has already witnessed layoffs at Behaviour Interactive and Sumo Group, along with the closure of Timbre Games. May was equally tumultuous, with Avalanche Studios Group, Intercept Games, Phoenix Labs, and Square Enix all either laying off employees or closing studios. Additionally, May marked the end for Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Games.
Every layoff and closure carries its own unique story. For instance, Ó Dorchaidhe’s tweet highlighted the aftermath of Microsoft’s decision to close Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks. Sometimes, as in Galvanic Games' case, even well-received titles fail to generate the necessary revenue to sustain operations.
This trend underscores the fragility of the game industry. Apart from a select few live service games and solo developers who manage to capture lightning in a bottle, security is a rare commodity. The relentless pursuit of growth often leads to successful studios being shuttered by their corporate parents, further exacerbating the instability.
As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how studios will navigate these turbulent waters. For now, the closure of Galvanic Games serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by developers in an increasingly volatile market.