Vodeo Games, the developer behind the turn-based RPG Beast Breaker, has announced that it will be shutting down after failing to secure the necessary funds to keep its team together.
The announcement was made via a Twitter post yesterday evening at 7:30pm BST, with Vodeo Games stating that "despite a year of avid efforts, we've been unable to secure funding for our next project from publishers and investors" and that "there is simply no Vodeo without our incredible team". It goes on to state that the studio's final efforts will go into securing a Steam release for Beast Breaker in the hope that this will continue to support the team members as they go their separate ways.
Vodeo Games is noted for previously becoming the first certified game studio union in North America back in December 2021, dubbed as Vodeo Workers United. The union's own Twitter page acknowledged the studio's closure, stating that it was in the process of bargaining, but had decided to halt this after recognising that the studio was no longer financially viable.
It's a sad conclusion and certainly demonstrates just how fickle the games industry can be, particularly for smaller developers. As for Beast Breaker itself, we reviewed the game back in October 2021 and awarded it a stellar 9/10, stating that while the game "may be small, it proves to be exceedingly effective at what it sets out to do".
Here at Nintendo Life, we wish each and every team member at Vodeo Games the very best of luck in the days ahead.
What do you make of the closure of Vodeo Games? Have you played Beast Breaker yet? Let us know in the comments.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 14
Looks like bribing people to spam 10/10 reviews on metacritic isn't actually a good option. Cool game though.
"There will be no more Vodeo Games"
Nice pun.
Always a pity to hear this - and even a tinge of personal awkwardness since Beast Breaker has been on my wishlist for ages but I have yet to pick it up (a common story when said wishlist counts literal hundreds😅). Hopefully the devs may find themselves employed and busy with something equally interesting down the road.
Never heard of Beast Breaker or this developer. Wish Nintendo would do a better job of highlighting smaller games on the eShop even long after their release, there’s so much on there that it’s too easy to get lost in the shuffle
Sad news. Beast Breaker was a very good game, a real hidden gem - too well hidden I guess. I hope that the people there find new jobs, and that this isn't used as a stick to beat the (very necessary) fight for games unionisation with.
You'd be surprised how often this does happen. Tells me there was some, at some level, a bit of mishandled funds. As it usually is the catalyst on most projects. Always be ready for a flop.
Shame though, regardless. Cause the game looks fun, and the talent looked promising.
Awful news. I know Asher Vollmer really set a priority on treating his workers well, while also making unique projects. I hadn’t played the game, but I did take note in how they wanted to bring the Peggle into a deeper game. I wish everyone on the team well and hope they can find work that makes them feel good about what they’re making, should they continue game development.
A pity, Beast Breaker was on my radar but never crossed back into my attention. I do hope the failure to find support for their next title isn't BECAUSE they had a union. I would not say this industry's leadership is above a collective "kill it before it spreads" effort.
Unfortunate news and I feel somewhat blameworthy too, as I liked the concept and look of Beast Breaker (wishlisted it right after reading its NL review) but never got around to buying. Had it been a physical release, I would have purchased by now. There's just so many good games and good studios out there to support, and sadly resources are finite, so fickle preferences like that really weigh heavily on my purchasing decisions.
I do wish the studio team members good luck and a smooth transition onward from Vodeo.
Beast Breaker had been in my backlog for ages until I started playing earlier this week. Decent game for the price. One of those games that you play when you’re not really sure what ‘main’ game you want to play next.
never heard of their game
This was a genuinely good game with lots of heart. Unique concept. A shame they had to shut down.
I really liked Asher’s early iOS games, Threes and Puzzlejuice. Those were pretty outstanding, IMO.
For whatever reason, Beast Breaker didn’t quite grab me — though it’s very coherent and playable, and well though-out. Might sound odd, but I think I’d enjoy BB more if some of its mechanics (equipment, etc.) were streamlined or removed — or perhaps made optional.
they only released beast breaker on Switch and Epic Games Store, they really should have been trying to port it to more places.
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