In a bittersweet move, the independent game studio Worldwalker Games has announced it is going on indefinite hiatus after concluding active development on its hit tactical RPG Wildermyth and its Omenroad expansion. While not a permanent shutdown, the “hibernation” will see most of the team depart as the company has no immediate plans for a new project or Wildermyth sequel.
“It’s never fun to bring something to an end, but sadly this is that time,” wrote co-owner Nate Austin in the announcement. “Active development on Wildermyth is complete…Worldwalker Games is going into hibernation for now.”
The decision caps off over 11 years of work on the critically acclaimed Wildermyth, which was praised for its deeply narrative driven fantasy storytelling and unique tactical combat. After releasing the game in 2021 to rave reviews, the team followed up with the Omenroad roguelike DLC earlier this year, achieving their core creative vision.
“We did what we set out to do,” said programmer Patrick Belanger. “Wildermyth is a game you could pour endless content into—and we poured a lot into it—but it feels finished. We’ve created a work of art that’s changed many lives, and now we’re ready to move on.”
While an emotional decision, Austin stressed Worldwalker is an independent self-funded studio “not answerable to investors” and that “nobody is shutting us down.” With Wildermyth running its course after a successful launch, the team decided to go their separate ways rather than immediately start a new project they weren’t passionate about.
An important update on things at Worldwalker Games pic.twitter.com/SXUbqAJxPy
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— Wildermyth (@wildermyth) May 29, 2024
“Wildermyth has been wonderful, but nothing goes on forever,” Austin said. “We wanted to ship Omenroad, and having done that, we’re ready to move on.”
“We expect we’ll find another game eventually,” he added, “but can’t do that with a full studio. The only way we know how is by going into the metaphorical wilderness for a while.”
Despite the hibernation, Worldwalker plans to maintain Wildermyth with critical bug fixes while upcoming ports and the Kickstarted soundtrack release remain on track. The game’s strong modding community may also continue expanding its content.
Five full-time staff are being laid off, comprising the majority of the team. While the developers aren’t ruling out reuniting someday for a new project that inspires them, both Austin and Belanger expressed the likelihood of exploring very different creative avenues after pouring their passion into Wildermyth for over a decade.
“We originally set out to make one game. The company was never the main goal,” Austin reflected. “Wildermyth was a side project we were lucky enough to turn into a business.”
With its ambitious narrative scope and unique mechanics, Wildermyth captivated audiences and critics alike upon arrival. Now its developers depart on their own terms, celebrated as achieving something special but eager for new challenges after such an immense creative journey.
