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Elixir Studios Closes Its Doors

Posted by Zonk on from the line-them-up-and-knock-them-down dept.

Another development studio has closed up shop, with British company Elixir laying off staff and closing down development. Elixir has published two titles, the political sim Republic and the mad scientist strategy title Evil Genius. The cancellation of an upcoming project forced the company to make a hard decision. From the article: "I'm very proud of what all the staff at Elixir have achieved and the games we produced...We gave it everything we had but ultimately it wasn't quite enough. It seems that today's games industry no longer has room for small independent developers wanting to work on innovative and original ideas. Perhaps there is no longer any need for them."

4 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. Independent Developers by Defiant00 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "It seems that today's games industry no longer has room for small independent developers wanting to work on innovative and original ideas. Perhaps there is no longer any need for them." It is quite sad how little chance small independent developers really have in today's game industry, however I don't think many would agree with saying that there's no need for them. Actually, having seen Evil Genius in Wal-Mart, it makes me wonder what the definition of a small independent developer is these days. Now what I'd consider small independent developers would be those responsible for games like Gish, Alien Hominid, or Darwinia. And, from what I heard Evil Genius was a great idea that suffered from some serious issues later on, such as trying to keep track of what your minions were doing around the world. I guess when you start working out a publishing deal even small independent developers can easily get pushed into completing and selling something that isn't necessarily 'done' in their eyes.

  2. Dead games can live on by newrisejohn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Dear Elixir,

    Please open source your games so that your fans may continue to enjoy them, or modify and adapt them. The benefits will surely outway the remaining royalities/profits from keeping these games as commercial ventures.

    1. Re:Dead games can live on by British · · Score: 3, Funny

      Dear newrisejohn,

      Yes, the benefits of open sourcing of our game library will sure help us at the unemployment office! Definitely the warm feeling in our hearts will outweigh the need for a job, etc.

      Sincerely,
      Elixir

  3. Evil Genius by BoRictor · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I downloaded the demo version when it first came out. I think it was fun for about 2 minutes until I had to micro-manage everything. While it was a very cool concept and definitely had potential the execution unfortunately just wasn't there.

    Ultimately I gave up and uninstalled it.

    As for the comment regarding the lack of need for smaller indepedant game developers.. well I call bullshit on that. Just because 1 company fails at producing games that people will buy and enjoy does not mean that all companies will fall into the same boat. Those that can come out with games that are actually FUN TO PLAY (gasp!) should do well.

    Until they are eaten up by some bigger player who will then make sequel after sequel spewing out the same regurgitated crap with "All new features!"