Reigns Dev Is Closing Down As Leads Go Independent Again

Key Points:

• After nearly 13 years and 11 games, indie developer Nerial is shutting down, with founder François Alliot citing a mix of industry challenges and personal reasons for the closure.
• Nerial's breakthrough hit was the 2016 mobile game Reigns, which inspired several spinoffs including licensed versions for Game of Thrones and The Witcher, but recent titles like Card Shark and Crush House were less successful.
• Since being acquired by publisher Devolver Digital in 2021, Nerial has operated as an internal studio, but Alliot wishes to return to a more independent creative process, prompting the decision to close the studio while Devolver retains rights to Nerial’s existing catalog.
• The studio’s nine employees are being let go, though Alliot hopes to collaborate with them as contractors in the future; he and his wife plan to continue making games independently.
• Alliot reflects on the rapidly changing game industry landscape, especially the impact of AI on originality and creativity, but remains optimistic about creating new, unique experiences as an indie developer.