Embracer axes Pieces Interactive, Alone in the Dark developer

Pieces Interactive, the developer behind the survival horror game Alone in the Dark, has been shut down by Embracer Group following the game's underwhelming market performance. The shutdown follows a series of layoffs and other closures of game development studios by Embracer Group, which has downsized significantly since a $2 billion deal fell apart in 2023. Pieces Interactive, known for its work on Titan Quest expansions and the reimagining of Alone in the Dark, had a lifespan from 2007 to 2024. Embracer Group has also sold major studios like Gearbox Software and Saber Interactive as part of its restructuring.

The closure of Pieces Interactive was primarily due to the "softer than expected performance" of their latest release, Alone in the Dark, which did not meet the management's expectations. This follows a series of layoffs and studio closures by Embracer Group, exacerbated by the collapse of a $2 billion deal in 2023.

Alone in the Dark is a well-known title in the survival horror genre, originally released in the 1990s and often credited with influencing the development of other horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The series was rebooted in 2024 by Pieces Interactive, but unfortunately did not gain the expected traction in the market, leading to the studio's closure.