Godfall Developer Shuts Down: Reports

Summary

• Counterplay Games, the studio behind Godfall, may have shut down.
• A LinkedIn post from an employee at another studio suggests that Counterplay Games has 'disbanded.'
• Godfall struggled to maintain a player base due to repetitive gameplay and a lackluster story.

Counterplay Games, the developer of Godfall, may have quietly shut down, as suggested by the LinkedIn profile of an employee from another studio. Since the release of their loot-heavy hack-and-slash title for the PS5 in 2020, the studio has remained silent on new game announcements. Recent indications point to the Godfall developers having disbanded.

Despite being the first title announced for the PlayStation 5, Godfall failed to make a significant impact on the gaming community. Even after a major update in 2021, the game continued to suffer from repetitive gameplay and a story that many found underwhelming. As a result, it did not sell well and struggled to retain a substantial player base. While its reception was not entirely negative, the game's overall performance may have been too much for the studio to overcome.

The news of the developer's possible shutdown originates from a LinkedIn post by an employee of Jackalyptic Games, shared by PlayStation Lifestyle. The post mentioned a collaboration between Jackalyptic and Counterplay on a new title that did not reach 2025, leading to Counterplay's disbandment. Counterplay has yet to comment officially on the matter, but the phrasing of the post suggests a recent event, possibly around the end of 2024. Since the Xbox release of Godfall on April 7, 2022, Counterplay has not shared significant updates, making a silent disbandment not entirely surprising.

Counterplay Games May Be the Latest in a String of Studio Shutdowns

If confirmed, Counterplay Studios would join a growing list of studios facing closure in the gaming industry. Sony recently closed Firewalk Studios shortly after taking Concord offline in September 2024, and shuttered mobile developer Neon Koi in October of the same year to focus on more successful ventures. Unlike those cases, Counterplay's potential end would not be due to a parent company's decision, yet it underscores the challenges of surviving in the current market.

Developing games has become increasingly costly, with high expectations from both players and shareholders. This pressure is especially intense for smaller indie studios without the backing of larger corporations. Even well-received titles are not immune, as evidenced by Frostpunk developer 11 Bit Studios announcing layoffs in late 2024 due to profitability issues. While the exact reasons for Counterplay's reported closure remain unclear, similar industry-wide challenges may have contributed. The studio has not issued an official statement, and fans are encouraged to await further details. For now, the outlook appears uncertain for Godfall enthusiasts and those anticipating future releases from Counterplay.