Ballistic Moon Developer for Until Dawn Remake Reportedly “Effectively Closed”

Ballistic Moon: The Troubling Status of the Until Dawn Remake Developer

According to a report from Insider Gaming, sources familiar with the situation have indicated that Ballistic Moon, the studio responsible for the Until Dawn remake, is now “effectively closed.”This revelation follows a series of layoffs in September 2024, during which around 40 employees were dismissed. The remaining staff were retained solely for post-launch support after the game’s release in October.

In December 2024, after the launch, the company experienced further staff reductions, with approximately 20 developers losing their positions in a discreet manner. Insiders report that only the founders of the studio remain, along with perhaps a few other employees, while all departments related to public relations, development, and marketing have been entirely disbanded.

The Mixed Reception of the Until Dawn Remake

Comparatively, the remake of Until Dawn did not achieve the same level of acclaim as its predecessor. Several players expressed dissatisfaction with the character redesigns, especially concerning the visual filters and color grading adjustments made in the new version. Nevertheless, the game also introduced several enhancements, such as a fresh audio score, heightened atmospheric tension, multiple endings, and enriched narratives for players to explore. On Metacritic, the remake received a score of 70, while users rated it at 6.5.

Challenges Faced Post-Launch

Since the game’s release, player feedback has highlighted various bugs and requested patches. Unfortunately, with the majority of the development team now gone, the likelihood of receiving updates for the game seems bleak. One insider stated, “The studio has effectively closed now.”

Uncertainty looms over the future of Ballistic Moon; it remains unclear whether the studio is in a temporary hiatus or facing an official shutdown. Reports suggest the founders have been actively seeking funding and are pitching new projects, though success in securing a publisher or financial support remains elusive.

A source offered insight into Sony’s relationship with the studio, saying, “Sony indicated they might greenlight more funding for updates, but it appears that didn’t materialize.”

Employee Experience and Company Culture

Former employees have shared mixed views about working conditions at Ballistic Moon. While many praised the collaborative atmosphere and supportive teams, issues regarding unpaid overtime have surfaced. One former staff member noted that they accumulated the equivalent of “weeks”of unpaid work, only to be met with widespread layoffs thereafter.

As of now, there has been no formal announcement from Ballistic Moon regarding its operational status. If the company issues any statements in the future, this article will be updated accordingly.

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