Earlier today, several blogs reported that indie publisher Merge Games was shutting down after 15 years. Some of the posts even carried embedded messages shared on X from the publisher. However, at the time of writing, it appears that the message has been deleted.
“After 15 years, Merge Games is closing down,” read the message published earlier on X. “Starting from a tiny, cramped attic and growing to a tight, multi-disciplined 22-person team, we’ve brought hundreds of indie gems to storefronts around the world and loved every moment of it!”
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“We couldn’t have done it without people passionate about indie games, from all of our developers all the way to you folks, the players! If you see someone from Merge, just know that they’re an incredible person that worked their hardest. Thank you for the many years of gaming.”
We tried to reach the message using the X link shared online and met the error message, “Hmm…this page doesn’t exist. Try searching for something else”. Just as the company didn’t provide any reason for the shutdown, no reason was provided for taking down the official shutdown message.
What was more interesting is that there was no such message on their website or any of their social media pages. The alleged studio closure is coming on the heels of significant layoffs and the closure of their office in Chelford by their parent company Maximum Entertainment.
Merge Games was founded in 2010 by managing director Luke Keighran. Since it was founded, the company has published and distributed notable games including Dead Cells, Darkest Dungeon, Streets of Rage 4, and more recently Indika, Smalland, and Selfloss.
Reactions from former Merge Games employees
Posts from former employees announcing their departure from Merge Games started appearing on LinkedIn two weeks ago. Some of them mentioned that they had been made redundant while others simply said they were leaving.
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“Unfortunately, I’m announcing that I have been made redundant at Merge Games Ltd,” wrote associate producer Charlie Cosson. “It’s been an amazing experience and I’ve met some fantastic people along the way. But all journeys must come to an end and I am now seeking new opportunities and adventures!”
QA technician Daniel Smith also mentioned that he was made redundant, saying he was writing the post about his being made redundant “with great sadness”. Furthermore, he added, “I absolutely loved my time working for Merge Games and have met so many amazing people who have helped my career path and to have a good laugh while doing it”.
It seems this week will be the last working week for everyone impacted. Last week, producer Samuel J wrote, “Just thought I’d pop an update over – next week will be my last at Merge Games Ltd, and I’m Still looking for a new role in production or QA”.
Confirming that the closure message was deleted was former creative and technical manager James de Silva who uploaded the official statement on LinkedIn saying he found its deletion “incomprehensible”.
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“Our final farewell was deleted,” James wrote. “Since I find this to be incomprehensible. I’m going to post it myself. I love the people I worked with and I loved the 11 years of working at Merge. My team did not deserve this.”
Several other staff of the company also posted about being made redundant. GameBaba Universe always leaves links to the profiles of people affected by layoffs that we mention to make it easy for those with open opportunities to easily reach them.
Why do you think the studio closure message was deleted from X? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.
