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entertainment10h ago
"Goodbye for now": Still in Steam Early Access, action RPG from ex Ubisoft, Capcom, and Riot devs with $17 million investment hangs it up after "mixed initial reviews and a declining player base"
Gamesradar.com and 1 more
- Pahdo Labs shuts down after raising more than $17.5 million, with CEO Dan Zou citing the lack of sustainable funding and a misjudged scope as the core reasons behind the closure.
- The studio pivoted to Edge of Divinity and a demo-driven funding pitch, hoping to demonstrate lessons learned and secure new investment, but the financing never materialized.
- Starlight Re:Volver’s early access journey included a well-received Steam Next Fest demo, yet it failed to translate into sustained commercial performance.
- The funding shortfall followed mixed reviews and a shrinking player base, prompting layoffs and program pauses that signaled a strategic retreat from Starlight Re:Volver.
- A pure single-player experience remains for Starlight Re:Volver as the project pivots away from ongoing development and live-service ambitions.
- Edge of Divinity is positioned as the studio’s third attempt at an anime-style RPG, aiming to capture a market segment dominated by popular free-to-play gacha titles.
- The $17.5 million funding package was largely consumed by salaries, art, and content production, with only about half directed to Starlight Re:Volver’s development.
- Halcyon Zero served as a prototype for Starlight Re:Volver, highlighting the studio’s iterative approach and its struggle to translate prototypes into a successful live project.
- The studio’s leadership emphasized transparency about funding and market conditions as part of the shutdown communications.
- Starlight Re:Volver’s development pedigree included veterans from Ubisoft, Capcom, Riot Games, among others, underscoring the studio’s aspirational origins despite its ultimate closure.
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