[NEWS] Runic Games shutting down (!)

[BlackjackGT]

Runic Games shutting down

(official statement on its site):
http://runicgames.com/

It’s been over nine years since a rag-tag team of 17 developers helped open Runic Games. We’ve been so lucky for the community that has supported us and made us successful. Thanks to that support, we have had the chance to meet and work with the best people in the world. Our team here at Runic has released three successful games, and over that time we have seen many changes; team members got married, kids were born, but the most important thing is that we have become a family.

I’m sorry to say that today will be Runic’s last day open. Our focus is on our family here, and helping them find a new place to call home. If you are in games and looking for some of the best talent in the industry, please email [e-mail].

For those that love the Torchlight series, there will be some news coming. And for all our fans, our community and multiplayer services will keep running even after the studio's lights go off.

It has been an amazing experience. To my family here at Runic, I know we won’t be far from each other, and I’ll miss seeing you all every week.

You haven’t heard the last of us,

Marsh Lefler
Studio Head

No idea what this means for Hob in terms of any updates or future support.

I enjoyed the game but the puzzle-frustration factor eventually turned me off. I know Hob undersold compared to expectations - from what I read - but yikes. :(

[BlackjackGT]

Runic also confirmed this on its Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/RunicGames

It's true, Runic Games has been closed.

[PrimeDirective]

> No idea what this means for Hob in terms of any updates or future support.

Check out Perfect World's statement: https://kotaku.com/big-layoffs-at-studio-behind-gigantic-studio-behind-to-1820120915

"Perfect World Entertainment recently closed the Seattle office of Runic Games as part of the company’s continued strategy to focus on online games as a service. We’re grateful to the team for all of their hard work bringing incredible experiences like Torchlight, Torchlight II and Hob to life. Runic Games will remain a part of Perfect World Entertainment’s portfolio of studios, and its games will continue to be available to players, as we stay committed to supporting and growing Runic Games’ beloved franchises."

[BlackjackGT]

OK thanks for clarifying.

So sorry to hear about this. Glad PWE will continue support.

[RubahaParen]

Hope they will find a good jobs, and, maybe, someday we will see successor of Torchlight.

[nutcrackr]

Yikes, the game must have been a commercial trainwreck to shut them so quickly.

That thing about torchlight has me worried. Sounds like Perfect World are making a sequel/mmo via another studio.

[PurSpyk!!]

Really sad, and poor timing considering christmas is around the corner etc.

[Fortzon]

What would you expect from a Chinese company... They love their P2W grindfests over there.

Fu PWE.

Hopefully everyone at Runic gets a new job from somewhere else.

[Faenix]

"continued strategy to focus on online games as a service"

...ugh. Gaming is truly going down the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, huh?

[Absinthe Eyes]

This is grim news. I took the information at first to be an annoucement of Runic retiring. This would not be the case given that a plea for reemployment was within the statement. Well bugger.

For all the flaws in the game, I had been in awe of the creativity from the start, which resulted in my reckless purchase without seeking out a clarification on what genre the game was. I pushed through and finished it in the end.

Screw that pithy input from the publishers. It was completely lacking in any substantial information, and is pure industry jargon for hot air.

[DarkSpartan]

So Torchlight 3 will probably be GAAS with loot boxes and microtransactions.

What gaming has become...

[TorrentGamer]

Saw it earlier today. It`s so sad. I bought Hob when it launched just to support Relic Games so they could start working on Torchlight 3. Seeing now that they have been shut down I am expecting the worst what might become out of Torchlight Franchise.

R.I.P Runic Games, you will be missed!.

[Tilen]

Oh my, and Hob is just such a wonderful game, as were Torchlight I and II. Sorry to hear this, guys. Your work is loved.

[Ryuuga]

NOOOOO!!11
We want Hob 2 and Torchlight 3!
Sad news, because Hob one of the most great game at the many years for me, and I was hoping on part 2 or spin-off. Whatafak...

[₸ʌʟwıcĸ]

Sorry to see you folks at Runic go, but thank you so much for releasing Hob before you did. It'll be a worthy swan-song to remember you all by, and we hope that one day you'll come back.

Best of luck in all your endeavours

[SALZHERZ]

Just FAIL. You did. Create Art.....and sell nothing compared to previous titles.
Art is the game i want. Not what is defined by cool clowns. Games are Art, yes.
Good Games are ART and sell well.
Great Games like Torchlight II are Art and sell like crazy and make fans happy.
Face reality. Develop games for fans, millions of fans.