Devolver Digital holds onto Nerial's game catalog as the indie studio ends development after 13 years.
This weekend’s gaming news reveals a mix of studio closures, unexpected collaborations, and lingering development tales in the gaming industry.
Nerial Shuts Down Development
The indie studio Nerial, known for titles like ‘Reigns’, has ended its development activities after 13 years. According to GamesHub, despite the studio’s closure, the game’s catalog will remain in the hands of Devolver Digital. This move ensures that the games developed by Nerial will continue to be available, maintaining their presence in the gaming landscape even as the studio itself winds down operations. The closure follows reported major financial losses, marking the end of an era for Nerial.
‘Squadron 42’ Edges Closer to Release
Cloud Imperium’s long-delayed game ‘Squadron 42’ has finally made its way onto Steam, as reported by Destructoid. This marks a notable milestone in its arduous development journey spanning 14 years. Although the game is now available for wishlisting, a definitive release date remains elusive, leaving fans hopeful for its projected Q2 2027 launch. As ‘Squadron 42’ is viewed as a more focused extension of ‘Star Citizen’, its Steam arrival signals a step closer for a project that has tested the patience of its supporters.
Fortnite’s Unlikely Crossover
‘Fortnite’ continues its tradition of unexpected crossovers, now featuring Freddy Fazbear from ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’. The latest Fortnitemares 2026 event, highlighted by GamesHub, sees the horror mascot join the ranks of Goku, Darth Vader, and Sonic, fulfilling a meme prophecy from 2021. This move showcases the game’s ongoing strategy of engaging diverse fan bases through pop culture collaborations.
Black Myth: Studio Avoids AI Techniques
Game Science, the developers behind the upcoming ‘Black Myth’ sequel, has taken a firm stance against incorporating AI into their development process, citing inspiration from Christopher Nolan’s film techniques. Destructoid reports that this decision is rooted in the studio’s aim to pursue more traditional and innovative creative processes, as inspired by Nolan’s work on ‘The Odyssey’. This choice reflects a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in game development.
Game Shutdowns Continue
In disappointing, but not entirely unexpected news, more games are joining the list of titles being shut down. GameRant discusses the ongoing trend of online games becoming unplayable once their servers are closed. This highlights the industry’s challenge in balancing operational costs with community demands for perennial server maintenance.
