
Australian studio Defiant Development hasn't exactly been a prolific publisher on Nintendo platforms over the years, but we really loved Hand of Fate 2 when it popped on to the Switch eShop last year – we gave it a coveted 9/10 in our review. Fusing the basic premise of a deck-building card game with the heart of an action RPG, we felt that Hand of Fate 2 offered one of the Switch’s most intriguing and rewarding experiences.
The next game in their pipeline was going to be called A World In My Attic, which would have ditched the card game format of Hand of Fate in favour of Catan-style gameplay. Unfortunately, it is not to be as Defiant has released a statement:
It is with sadness that we announce Defiant is ceasing Development.
First and foremost, that means that our incredibly talented team are looking for new roles. Every one of them is a champion in their field. If you can hire them, you should.
When we started this studio, we did so with a clear goal in mind. To hire great people, to create great games and to do that in an ethical manner with respect for our team and our audience.
In 2010, Australia desperately needed studios to demonstrate that it was possible to have substantial, Australian owned, IP generating homes for talent. That there could be a studio model in Australia that would thrive without being dependant on international ownership. That Australian studios could make console games again. Nine years later, there is no question that is true, and there are many Australian studios old and new demonstrating that Australian game development is truly world class.
The Defiant model has always focused on creating games nobody else would. Games that reflected the skills and passions of our team. Games that did something new. Our process has always been focused on iteration and exploration. We go into dark places, searching for hidden treasures. We set out without knowing where the journey will take us, and we do so knowing that the unknown is not always safe.
That is a risky way to make games, and we knew that. When it succeeds it delivers things you could never have considered possible. When it fails, it leaves you without a safety net.
The games market has changed in ways both big and small in the 9 years we've been in business. We have not been able to change quickly enough to continue with them.
To everyone who has supported us on this journey, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
To everyone who's ever worked with Defiant, thank you so much for sharing your work and yourselves.
Studios rise and studios fall, but people are always more important - to the people of Defiant, staff, friends, families, and partners, thank you. May your futures shine bright, and may you change the world for the better.
The company went on to say that they would continue in 'caretaker mode' to support their existing products. It's a sad day for the Australian games industry to lose one of it's most talented developers; we wish anyone affected by this closure good luck in their future careers elsewhere.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 34
Best wishes for everyone's future endeavours.
A huge shame. I will be buying their Hand of Fate 2 game when the right time comes.
Unfortunate. I had hoped that one of the boutique publishers would consider releasing the Hand of Fate series physically, the games are great.
Shutdowns are never fun. Hope the employees find another place in the industry soon.
That's too bad. I loved the first hand of fate, haven't gotten the second yet but may pick it up now.
That’s a shame. Best of luck to those who have lost their jobs, hope they get a new one soon.
Damn, I'm glad I supported them when this came out. I hope enough people can send the message they are appreciated and wanted, and that their staff have nothing but joy moving forward.
This is a damn shame, i thoroughly enjoyed both Hand Of Fate games.
What a shame. I absolutely LOVE hand of fate 2 and this statement clearly shows how decent and mature they are.
For what it's worth, if anyone ever sees this from the company, HOF2 is a fantastic piece of work and will always be in my memory even when my Switch goes kaput.
That's too bad. The HAnd of Fate games were kind of flawed, but also pretty cool and interesting.
Aw that really sucks. I played my first game with a deck building mechanic just recently with that Steamworld one. It was a really good game for the most part but right at the final boss I felt myself tiring of the deck building element. Maybe I will give Hands of Fate 2 a shot.
I'm STILL playing through Hand of Fate 2 on Switch when I have the time. Bought the DLC about a week ago finally actually. There's no game like it and when I heard the news I felt sad. I wish everyone had the privilege to buy it and play it. I gave it an 8.9, but it's pretty much a 9.
@haxxor_2point0 - Please tell me you steal fruit from Supermarkets, too. It'd be greatly disappointing if you're only honed in on just games. Lacking craft and finesse.
Serious, if you're going to take, go full on. Don't just target Nintendo, take it all. Everything is better when it's free. Everything.
@haxxor_2point0 - I feel like post is legit sarcasm, that's a bummer. Pens are ten a penny at workplaces. Guessing you just started. None of that is cool stories.
Meh, now I am bored. Peacies.
Feel the Bern! Wait, wrong website...
Grammar and punctuation left a lot to be desired.
@haxxor_2point0 I love the firm hold of a muscular gay bodybuilder but I cannot abide hats. Go figure.
Cash out while you still have money.
Sad to hear, hopefully the staff will find themselves new harbours soon. I've been playing Hand of Fate lately, and it's a very imaginative game with plenty of content; I look forward to eventually getting the second one on Switch and all the likely enhancements it brings, too.
So we have a tragedy happening in the gaming industry with the closure of this studio and @haxxor_2point0 @commentlife and @Paraka have taken into trolling each other in a comment section instead. The lack of empathy in some people is just staggering.
On topic, I do hope all of these talents find new jobs in the gaming industry. We need more creative minds to move the industry forward. Losing a job is never easy, but hopefully they'll find something else soon.
I don't suppose anyone has the inside scoop on why this studio went under? A risky way of making games... Does this mean they spent heaps of money on development and didn't sell enough to get out of debt?
Have zero interest in the games but its a sad to see that happen.
@nintendork64 oh g’wan, he just needed to be baited/triggered so he would get banned. Just having a bit of fun.
I am going to delete my comments now that it looks like he or someone has deleted all his comments haha.
@commentlife You're right, his comments are gone. Good thing too. That kind of drama just doesn't have a place on a post like this, when people have had their real lives negativity impacted.
@nintendork64 my optimism with this article is the mentioning of the recent success of the Australian studio system, so hopefully everyone lands on their feet, clearly a talented bunch.
@commentlife That's true! Hopefully some good will come out of it
@nintendork64 - Tragedy this is not, it is just the way the hand was dealt. Don't play the villainize game, I didn't cause it, so don't need it.
This is just them poorly strategically running their company. They had a vision to consistently pump out abnormal games, games that don't garner enough traction. They're paying it, they know what they did and the risk in doing it. It simply didn't pay off this time.
This talent will be relegated to many other companies, thus is the way of the games industry. And an extension of what happens often in mom & pop shops around the world over.
They'll do well. Chill.
this is sad to hear, my daughter bought it and it was high on my wishlist for future purchase. Companies like this are like dreams dissolving.
Damn, I really liked Hand of Fate games.
This comment section makes way less sense now that some posts were removed...
Now on topic, this is certainly a bummer to hear. I hope that everyone there lands on their feet very soon. This game has been on my wishlist for a long time and will have to pick up soon.
Sad news. I hope that the developers find new jobs soon.
Always sad to hear about small studios closing. Best of luck to all their employees.
@Kalmaro Hand of Fate 2 is a MASSIVE improvement over the original. HoF1 was an interesting concept, but the sequel refines that concept into a truly great game
@Emperor_Z looking forward to it then! Never did finish everything in the first game. There's just so much to do.
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