Summary
- Counterplay Games, the studio behind Godfall, may have shut down.
- A LinkedIn post by a Jackalyptic Games employee suggests Counterplay Games has "disbanded."
- Godfall's repetitive gameplay and weak story contributed to its poor performance and small player base.
Counterplay Games, developer of Godfall, may have quietly ceased operations, according to a LinkedIn post from an employee at another studio. The company has remained silent since releasing its loot-focused action RPG in 2020, making no announcements since then. Now, it appears the studio has disbanded.
Despite being a PlayStation 5 launch title, Godfall failed to resonate with gamers. Even a significant 2021 update couldn't overcome its repetitive gameplay and underwhelming narrative. Consequently, sales were low, and the player base remained small. While not universally panned, its overall performance likely proved unsustainable.
News of the studio's closure originated from a LinkedIn post by a Jackalyptic Games employee, shared by PlayStation Lifestyle. The post mentions a collaborative project between Jackalyptic and Counterplay that didn't reach completion in 2025, leading to Counterplay's disbandment. Counterplay has yet to comment, but the post suggests a recent closure, possibly late 2024. Their lack of activity since Godfall's Xbox release in April 2022 makes a silent closure unsurprising.
Counterplay Games: Another Casualty in a Growing Trend of Studio Closures
If confirmed, Counterplay Games' closure adds to a concerning trend in the gaming industry. Sony infamously shut down Firewalk Studios after Concord's release in September 2024 and closed mobile developer Neon Koi in October 2024, citing resource reallocation. Unlike these studios, Counterplay's reported closure isn't attributed to a parent company, but highlights the challenges of survival in the current market.
Game development costs are escalating, alongside player and shareholder expectations. Smaller studios face immense pressure to succeed in a crowded market. Even anticipated titles aren't guaranteed success, as evidenced by 11 Bit Studios' layoffs in late 2024 due to profitability concerns. While the precise reasons behind Counterplay's reported closure remain unclear, similar factors likely played a role. Until an official statement is released, fans should await further information. For now, the future looks uncertain for both Godfall and potential future Counterplay projects.
