Merge Games is closing

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Key findings

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



UK based publisher Merge games has announced its upcoming closure. The team recently Loss of selfa well-received indie game inspired by Icelandic and Slavic folklore, and Smalland: Survive the Wildan open world survival crafting title.

In early September, Merge Games announced the closure of its only office in the English village of Chelford, resulting in the layoff of an unspecified number of employees. Christina Seelye, CEO of Merge Games' parent company Maximum Entertainment, said this was all part of consolidation efforts that required cost-cutting measures such as staff layoffs. Weeks after announcing this wave of layoffs in the video game industry, Merge Games has informed the public of its complete closure.


In a new statement, Merge Games explains that it is ceasing operations after 15 years. The studio, which started with a team of 22, claimed it had successfully brought hundreds of indie gems to stores around the world. Merge Games' releases include the fairy tale horror gameBramble: The Mountain Kingthe fantasy crafting experience Smalland: Survive the Wildand the cozy life simulator Sunny side. It was also responsible for publishing the physical versions of titles such as Darkest Dungeon And Dead cells on consoles.


Indie publisher Merge Games is officially closing

Discontinuation of Merge Games

Management of Merge Games' upcoming titles will now be handled by Maximum Entertainment. Before its closure, Merge Games was willing to take over Kappa Bits' Pixelshire and Infuse Studio's Spirit of the North 2The latter was presented at the Xbox Partner Preview in October 2023, where Alan-Wake 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthand Konami's upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.


Maximum Entertainment was previously responsible for the physical releases of the successful multiplayer game Among us as well as Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. The 2024 catalogue contains Paleo Pines, Squirrel with a gunAnd Until then. Seelye claimed in February that Maximum Entertainment's roadmap includes 100 games, including 15 titles based on its own properties. She also revealed a partnership with Paramount Game Studios to develop a Avatar: The Last Airbender Multiplayer fighting game. Maximum Entertainment began consolidating its development and publishing arms under one roof in 2023.


Only a few weeks earlier Merge games When Maximum Entertainment announced its closure, it stated in a report that Seelye had demanded a payment of nearly $7 million for the company's previous acquisitions. Maximum COO Thierry Bonnefoi also demanded a payment of $1 million.

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