Spiders: studio behind GreedFall and Steelrising announces closure

French game company Spiders, known for RPGs such as GreedFall and Steelrising , is on the verge of closing after nearly 18 years in the games industry. Founded in 2008, the studio is currently in insolvency proceedings, largely due to financial problems at parent company Nacon.

Financial troubles

Spiders has been dealing with significant debt stemming from Nacon’s weak financial position. The company has tried to find a solution through debt restructuring, but according to sources inside the studio, the legal proceedings appear to be little more than a formality. Reports suggest employees are actively looking for other opportunities and jobs, while Nacon is desperately trying to find a buyer for Spiders.

Once full of promise

Spiders was founded by former employees of Monte Cristo, which worked on Silverfall , an action RPG for the PlayStation Portable. The studio released several smaller games over the years, but it only really started to stand out with The Technomancer in 2016. While the game received mixed reviews, it showed Spiders’ creative ambitions, something the studio would later build on.

With the release of GreedFall in 2019, Spiders further established its identity, drawing attention for its unique gameplay systems and storytelling. The game delivered a deep RPG experience and became quite popular, but the sequel, GreedFall 2: The Dying World , had a rough Early Access launch and failed to meet fans’ expectations.

The team’s future

As Spiders prepares for closure, employees are buying up equipment and organizing a final tribute to the studio. This will take place during the team’s last gathering, which will be turned into a formal celebration of the role Spiders has played in the games industry.

Spiders’ struggles have not gone unnoticed; the French game workers’ union, Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo, has criticized Nacon’s mismanagement. They say Nacon’s treatment of the studio contributed to worsening working conditions and undermined the team’s viability.

Spiders’ closure marks the end of an era for a studio that has contributed to the games industry for more than a decade and a half. The legacy of its distinctive approach to RPGs will no doubt live on in the hearts of its fans.