The unexpected announcement of the closure of Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Alphagod Games, and Roundhouse Games not only has once again brought to the forefront the current state of the industry and its controversial decisions but has also served to justify the decisions made by some studios at the time. An example of this is Moon Studios, whose CEO explained the reason why they didn't sell to Microsoft.
Following Xbox Studio Closures, Moon Studios CEO Says That's Why They Didn't Sell
Years ago, amidst the success of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the acquisition of Moon Studios by Microsoft and Xbox seemed inevitable, but a series of controversies and tensions between the two parties led to the breakup of the relationship. Some believe Moon Studios should have been part of Microsoft, but in light of today's closures, Thomas Mahler, CEO of the studio, cited the current situation as an example and justification for their decision to maintain independence.
To everyone whose been pestering me for years about why we didn't allow Moon Studios to get acquired by a big publisher...
— thomasmahler (@thomasmahler) May 7, 2024
That's why.
I've lived through the 90s and saw what happened when smaller studios got acquired by EA.
Never again 🤣😂 https://t.co/BHXm37PC2M
In a post on his X account, Thomas Mahler said: "To all of you who have been bothering me for years about why we didn't allow Moon Studios to be acquired by a big publisher. It's because of this. I lived through the '90s and saw what happened when EA acquired smaller studios. Never again."
According to the perspective of the Moon Studios director, depending on a big publisher can be risky because everything can change at the most unexpected moment, and there is little room for projects that aren't proven as big businesses.
Currently, Moon Studios is developing its most ambitious project, which is defined as do or die for the studio's history. If it succeeds, they'll continue; if it fails, it'll be goodbye. This project is No Rest for the Wicked, a role-playing and action game that has received a good reception during its early access period on Steam.
Stay tuned with us at LEVEL UP.
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