Humble Games, publishing company behind Signalis, Bō: Path Of The Teal Lotus, Billie Bust up, and many more, closes.
What will happen to upcoming and current games? Support the developers! Also, the new Bungie layoffs continue to show that leadership will always do well.
Restructuring or Closing?
Closing, but they didn’t want to say it.
Humble Games, Humble Bundle’s publishing company, released a statement on Twitter on July 23rd stating that they would undergo restructuring.
That was a lie, as Nicola Kwan, former Business Development Manager from Humble Games, posted on her LinkedIn that all 36 employees woke up to the news of the closure and were being laid off. Like many other gaming companies, the employees found out about the closure the same day the public did.
“At 9AM this morning, all 36 employees of Humble Games were told that we were being let go and that the company is shutting down,” Nicola Kwan said. “Working at Humble Games was the most incredible experience I've ever had. Not only did I get to work with the most amazing team, I got to work with passionate developers and help create games that I genuinely believe will impact the industry as a whole.”
She wasn’t the only one who shared these positive sentiments regarding her team. Many former Humble Games employees had only positive things to say about working with their teammates, and the developers.
“Hi everyone - Unfortunately all of us at Humble Games were impacted today,” Brandon Bosswell, former Senior/Technical Release Manager for HG said on a LinkedIn post, “and a lot of good people are looking for work and would really appreciate your support.”
“I'd work with every single one of these folks again in a heartbeat,” Mitch Cronin, former Senior Publishing Producer for HG said on a LinkedIn post. “We really had something special and unique there that I'm not sure I'm ever going to find again.”
Why Did This “Restructuring” Happen?
All the money is in gaming, so everyone wants a piece of that.
In an article written by Nathan Grayson for Aftermath, Grayson speaks to Humble Games former employees, who decided to remain anonymous, and even obtains a recording of a morning meeting, where they spoke about long delays, rising costs, and the attempt to sell Humble Games twice. The former employee also emphasized how little Ziff Davis, the owners of Humble Bundle and IGN Entertainment, and many others, understood about the gaming industry.
From Davis Ziff wanting to gain money quicker, and not wanting to wait months for a game to be developed, the employees shared that Ziff Davis is trying to cover themselves for their mismanagement. It’s a great read and I recommend you check it out.
As everything was unraveling, Chris Radley, Humble Bundle’s former Creative Lead who held that position for 3 years, shared on LinkedIn that it was because of leadership’s failure that the company closed, and that it is not restructuring.
“This was ONCE AGAIN a failure of leadership across the board, and once again hard working talented staff are paying the cost for their poor decisions,” Chris Radley said.
Chris Radley even pointed out that at one point while working at Humble Bundle, one of Ziff Davis's employees asked them why they couldn’t just buy Steam.
What Will Happen to Current Games?
It seems that developers are having difficulties when it comes to console ports.
Squid Shock, the team behind Bō: Path of The Teal Lotus said on their Twitter that because Humble Games shut down, updating the console ports will become difficult, as QA Support and Porting was tied to Humble Games. They didn’t say they wouldn’t be able to update console ports, only that it may take longer, but they reassured people that they are working on updating the game on all platforms.
Exit 73, the team behind #BLUD, said on their Twitter that they would continue to support #BLUD with upcoming content and updates.
Stairway Games, the team behind Coral Island, said on their Twitter that they are in contact with their lawyer to see how they can push updates to other platforms that aren’t Steam, as they do not have access to them, and that they would be offering Switch backers a key exchange to the Steam platform to make up for the inconvenience.
They all shared positive words to regarding the Humble Games team and wished them the best of luck on each of their posts.
What About The Upcoming Games?
From what I gathered through my search
Never Alone 2
Developer: E-Line Media
Never Alone 2, the sequel to a 2014 BAFTA award-winning classic, is still being worked on. It’s an adventure game where the developers worked closely with the Iñupiaq, which are the indigenous people from the Northwestern part of Alaska, to tell an originally story true to their traditions and stories. This game will have players exploring the harsh cold environment with a friend, online or local, and discover beautiful landscapes and tradition.
Wizard of Legend 2
Developer: Dead Mage
Wizard of Legend 2, the sequel to the action-packed roguelike co-op game, is still being worked on. This chaotic game continues the hecticness of the first game, but now in 3D. You’ll be going through unforgiving dungeons, creating efficient builds are you go through the levels, and doing it all over again, as these types of games requires perseverance.
Breeze in the Clouds
Developer: Stormy Nights Interactive
Breeze in the Clouds, the combo heavy 2D action-adventure, is still being worked on. This cute hand-drawn game, populated by just as cute characters, features scrappy fights that will have the player swiftly dodging and juggling their enemies. Control your newfound weather-based powers as Breeze, a courageous corgi, as you find your way back to your best friend Diana.
On Your Tail
Developer: Memorable Games
On Your Tail, a story-driven detective game that allows you to build friendships with the locals, is still being worked on. Explore an Italian seaside village of Borgo Marina as Diana, meet the wonderful locals whom you can form a lasting relationship with, help them with their problems, and learn crucial information to uncover who is behind that mask.
Monaco 2
Developer: Pocketwatch Games
Monaco 2, sequel to the coop heist game, is still being worked on. While they are in the early stages of development, they’ve said on their Discord that game is still being worked on. In this fun and hectic coop game, take on the role of varied thieves with unique skills, alongside with your friends, to execute the ultimate heist in procedurally generated 3D levels.
Billie Bust Up
Developer: Giddy Goat Games
Billie Bust Up, the 3D platforming musical, is still being worked on. Take on the role of a young goat named Billie as she tries to reclaim her long-lost father’s powerful magic, while exploring wonderful and vibrant realms full of villains and catchy songs. Each battle is rhythm based, so player will needs to pay attention to the lyrics and beats to make it out alive.
What Came To Be Thanks to Humble Games?
Many beloved games came to be with the help of Humble Games, and these are only a few of the highlights.
Temtem
Developer: Crema
Price: $44.99
Temtem is an online creature-collection adventure game, much like Pokemon, but you are easily able to play alongside your friends and even customize your own house.
Signalis
Developer: rose-engine
Price: $19.99
Signalis is a survival horror game set in a dystopian future. Play as a technician named Replika in an off-world government facility and fight off nightmarish creatures in mind bending experience.
Void Bastards
Developer: Blue Manchu
Price: $29.99
Void Bastards is a FPS where you have to carefully plan each mission, having in mind your characters traits can you facilitate or harden the mission, and that you’ll have to scavenge for resources to continue your escape through space. Be sure to look into their upcoming game, Wild Bastards.
Unpacking
Developer: Witch Beam
Price: $19.99
Unpacking is a zen game that has you unpacking as you move into your home, and as you unpack, revealing different items, you uncover the story of your character. From a child to adult, learn about this characters life and tidy up the place while you’re at it.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Developer: Summerfall Studios
Price: $29.99
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a beautifully drawn urban fantasy with multiple choices that can change the ending, mixed with Greek mythology and with a talented cast of not only voice actors, but singers, as the game is a musical.
Mineko’s Night Marker
Developer: Meowza Games
Price: $19.99
Mineko’s Night Marker a very cute and adorable game inspired by Japanese culture. You participate in the weekly Night Market where you get to choose what items to sell, haggle the prices, and compete against your equally cute opponents in a variety of minigames.
Coral Island
Developer: Stairway Games
Price: $29.99
Coral Island is a colorful and laid-back farm sim that’s sure to scratch that itch that Animal Crossing or Story of Seasons can no longer scratch. Customize your home, your character, your farm, build relationships, including romantic ones, in live your life in the Coral Island.
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus
Developer: Squid Shock Studios
Price: $19.99
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a hand-drawn 2.5D action platform inspired by Japanese folklore. You play as Bō, a celestial blossom that descended from the heavens to fulfil a ancient prophecy. Traverse the beautiful lands and fight of mystical creatures in this beautiful Metroidvania.
#Blud
Developer: Exit 73 Studios
Price: $24.99
#Blud fight off a vampire apocalypse and save your friends in this wacky dungeon crawling game that takes inspirations from 90s cartoons. This vibrant and fun game is so well drawn and animated that it makes macabre horrors a joy.
These were only a couple of games they’ve helped throughout the years. Be sure to following the upcoming games, as I’m sure they’d appreciate your support, and their games looks wonderful.
Bungie Layoffs
As I wrote this post, the Bungie layoffs occurred, as it was announced through Twitter with a link to the announcement on their website.
“That means beginning today, 220 of our roles will be eliminated,” Bungie CEO Pete Parsons said, “representing roughly 17% of our studio’s workforce. “
This led to many people outraged, and Moises Taveras from Kotaku has a great article showing people’s and developer’s reactions, from the CEO making his account private, to the former developers expressing their justified anger and frustration. A couple of months ago, around 100 employees were cut from the team after the DLC didn’t perform well.
What I’ve noticed that all the layoffs have in common is that the leadership will always be fine, many retaining their wealth, bonuses, and seemly unscathed, while the developers are always hit with the news the same time the public finds out.
While it may not always work, it’s time for developers to try unionizing, as it’s clear that higher-ups don’t truly care about their workers. Bethesda just unionized a couple of weeks ago, and I’m sure that it’s because of everything that’s been happening this year.