游戏开发商Hothead Games宣布关停

Hothead Games, a Canadian indie game studio known for mobile titles like Rivals at War and Kill Shot, has ceased operations after a major project failure led to bankruptcy. The closure, announced by President and CEO Ian Wilkinson, occurred on December 13th. The studio, founded in 2006 by former Radical Entertainment employees, had between 51 and 200 staff members.

The failed project, while unnamed, involved both mobile and console versions. A completed playable build existed, but a publisher pulled out of the mobile contract due to strategic shifts, subsequently impacting the console release. Hothead Games attempted a pivot to contract and porting work before its closure.

This shutdown follows a broader trend in the gaming industry, reflecting significant financial challenges. Over 14,850 job losses have been reported in 2024, including other studio closures such as Humanoid Origin (also with 51-200 employees). Even established studios like 11 Bit Studios have announced layoffs following project cancellations.

Hothead Games' legacy includes titles such as Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, DeathSpank, and Big Win Football 2024. The studio's recent free-to-play mobile releases included Box Office Tycoon and Idle Property Manager Tycoon. The impact of this closure underscores the precarious nature of game development, highlighting the risks associated with large-scale projects and market fluctuations.