Murdered: Soul Suspect was released a few weeks ago, followed by a wave of mediocre review scores. The game isn’t that great, and now the studio behind has reportedly been shut down. It’s probably not as a direct result of the game’s poor performance, though that likely hasn’t helped.
Airtight Games is one of those studios that just couldn’t catch a break. They’ve been around for a while but only have a handful of titles, most of which weren’t received too well. Anyone here remember Dark Void? That was one of Airtight’s first titles, and it never really improved from there. Quantum Conundrum was probably the best game the studio created, and even that was just a touch above average.
Back in April the studio let off 14 employees, saying that it was the usual “ebb and flow” of the industry. The situation seems to have been far more dire, with the studio now officially closed. Airtight has yet to release an official statement, but signs of closure on the doors of the Redmond based office confirm the news.
It’s always sad to see developers lose their jobs, but what is more frightening is just how common it is recently. It’s becoming more evident that something needs to change in the way games are financed and developed, otherwise these shut downs are just going to keep happening.
That, or studios should avoid making bad games. That seems to work too.
Last Updated: July 3, 2014
Consumer of Little Rabbits
July 3, 2014 at 13:02
Shit, that happened a bit too soon after the launch of MSS. Shame hope the okes come right. Never good to hear a dev studio go down.
Tauriq Moosa
July 3, 2014 at 13:03
Header image looks like Uncharted 4 reveal.
MakeItLegal
July 3, 2014 at 13:05
Yes
MichaelMatusowsky
July 3, 2014 at 17:31
Graphics too shit to be uncharted 4.
Anon A Mouse
July 3, 2014 at 13:04
The developer’s doors are now locked Airtight.
Ba Dum Tish..
(anyone)
Greylingad
July 3, 2014 at 13:09
Too soon would be quite appropriate, but still Airtight as it could be I suppose…
NiteFenix
July 3, 2014 at 13:15
Does this mean I get to pick up the game for an apple and an onion now?
Rince&pop
July 3, 2014 at 13:30
Opps. I thought this was an article on the MSSA’s position in South Africa’s world of gaming.
Rince&pop
July 3, 2014 at 13:30
Shame man. This sucks.
Jonah Cash
July 3, 2014 at 14:45
They had the best idea for a new IP for the last few years…. And then they made the game and it didn’t work. The idea’s in Murdered: SS is great!! It is very sad that it didn’t work, the game looked sooo good!!
MichaelMatusowsky
July 3, 2014 at 17:30
Darwinism works in development too. If you make shit, expect to die.
Jackie
July 4, 2014 at 00:36
Im guessing im one of the few that liked the game, though they could have done so much more to save it… sad