In a bittersweet announcement, the Australian independent game studio League of Geeks has declared that they are going “into hibernation” for an indefinite period. The developers behind critically acclaimed titles like Armello, Solium Infernum, and the recently released Solium Infernum remake have cited the challenging economic landscape and rising operational costs as the primary reasons behind this difficult decision.
Founded in 2010, League of Geeks has been a shining example of independent game development, crafting unique and immersive experiences that have captivated players worldwide. However, the studio’s journey has been fraught with obstacles, culminating in a series of layoffs and the indefinite postponement of their ambitious project, Jumplight Odyssey.
“With over 13 years under our belt as an entirely independent studio, and the economic situation in games being what it is right now, we have made the decision to put LoG into hibernation for the foreseeable future and take some extended time off,” stated the studio’s announcement.
The decision to go into hibernation comes after a tumultuous period for League of Geeks. In late 2023, the studio had already faced significant challenges, including rising operating costs, an unfavorable exchange rate between the Australian dollar and the US dollar, and disappointing sales of their early access title, Jumplight Odyssey. These factors led to the layoff of half of the studio’s workforce, with the remaining team members pinning their hopes on the successful launch of Solium Infernum.
Unfortunately, despite strong reviews for Solium Infernum, the game’s sales were not enough to secure the studio’s future. League of Geeks acknowledged that “the remake of Cryptic Comet’s niche, famously complex roleplaying strategy game has not achieved sales strong enough to fund further development or DLC.”
While the studio’s co-founders, Ty Care, Blake Mizzi, and Trent Kusters, attempted to find a way forward in the six months following the initial layoffs, the economic challenges proved too severe. As a result, the remaining staff members have decided to take an extended break, leaving the future of League of Geeks uncertain.
“The vast majority of our team have moved on to exciting new endeavours, and those who remain are going to take a well-deserved break over the next few months,” the announcement read. “We’re not sure when (or if) we will resurrect this great beast, but we’re incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved.”
The studio’s hibernation also means that Jumplight Odyssey, their ambitious spaceship colony sim, will not see its “fully realized v1.0 release” as initially planned. Instead, League of Geeks aims to bring the game out of Early Access within the next 12 months, but without the intended scope and features.
Despite the challenges, League of Geeks remains hopeful and grateful for the support they have received from their dedicated community. “Makin’ videogames is hard, excruciatingly hard these past few years, but the smart, lovely people we got to do it with, both inside LoG and out, made this crazy business worth it every single day,” they acknowledged.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve and face its own set of challenges, the fate of League of Geeks serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination required to thrive in this ever-changing landscape. While the studio’s future remains uncertain, their legacy of innovative and captivating games will undoubtedly inspire future generations of game developers to pursue their creative visions, even in the face of adversity.