Key Takeaways
- Reports indicate Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the Until Dawn remake, has been largely shut down.
- The company faced initial layoffs just prior to the game’s launch in late 2024.
- The closure places future plans for an Until Dawn sequel, previously hinted at by actor Peter Stormare, in jeopardy.
Ballistic Moon, the studio tasked with developing the highly anticipated remake of Until Dawn, now faces significant turmoil as it has reportedly been “effectively”shut down. Most of its workforce has been let go, sparking concerns about the future of the title that was set to debut in 2024. If these reports prove accurate, this project may not only be their first game but potentially their last as well.
The original Until Dawn, launched in 2015, garnered attention for Supermassive Games, enabling the company to dive deeper into the interactive horror genre. This success led to further projects like The Dark Pictures Anthology and the acclaimed The Quarry released in 2022.
Fans were puzzled when Ballistic Moon was unveiled as the developer for the remake back in May 2024. Initially, it appeared that Sony had expansive ambitions for the studio. However, Insider Gaming‘s recent report suggests a grim outlook, reporting widespread layoffs affecting nearly all departments, including development, public relations, and marketing.
Inside sources shared that although the company’s leadership was actively exploring new project funding, the cessation of operations means support for the Until Dawn remake could dwindle—an issue compounded by reports of persisting bugs. Additionally, the studio’s website remains outdated, still touting the remake as “coming soon”despite its release in early October.
The Current State of Ballistic Moon
The layoffs at Ballistic Moon were phased, with the first round occurring in September 2024, just ahead of the game’s release, resulting in at least a dozen job losses within the development team. By December, approximately 20 additional employees faced layoffs. While sources recalled mostly positive experiences, concerns about unpaid overtime were also highlighted.
The future for an Until Dawn sequel seems uncertain following this news. Peter Stormare, the actor known for portraying Dr. Hill, had previously hinted at a possible sequel on social media. However, should it proceed, development may need to revert back to Supermassive Games or enlist a new studio altogether. Furthermore, the remake has not been well-received, as suggested by OpenCritic, which gives it a modest rating of 69, a stark contrast to the original’s rating of 79.
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