End of an Era: Piranha Bytes Shuts Down, Founders Launch New Indie Game Studio

In late January, German game developer Piranha Bytes announced its search for a new partner to avoid closure. However, recent developments have been grim, as reported by the Polish website CD Action. By the end of June, Piranha Bytes shut down after the financial backing from its parent company, Embracer Group, ceased. The studio had been trying to secure a future for a dark fantasy RPG developed with Unreal Engine 5, but it was not to be.

Founded in 1997 as an independent studio, Piranha Bytes was acquired by Phenomedia in 1999 and later by THQ Nordic in 2019. The studio carved its niche in creating open-world Western-style role-playing games. Its flagship series, Gothic, has a dedicated fanbase eagerly anticipating a remake of its first installment by another studio within THQ Nordic. Piranha Bytes also ventured into new settings with the Risen trilogy and the science fantasy series Elex, though these titles did not achieve the success of Gothic, contributing to the studio’s eventual closure.

In a hopeful turn, two former Piranha Bytes veterans, Björn and Jennifer Pankratz, announced the creation of Studio Pithead after their departure in late 2023.

According to German publications, the couple plans to develop 'unique and immersive indie games' featuring dark action/adventure themes with elements of horror and RPG, underpinned by deep narratives. Studio Pithead is currently seeking external partners and publishers to bring their vision to life.

It's a shame that it all ended this way. Your humble servant is a big fan of Gothic, having played numerous mods for Gothic 2 and created machinimas about it. This was my first RPG, and it certainly means more to me than just a game. I feel as though a part of me died along with Piranha Bytes. Ah, let's pour ourselves a glass of rice schnapps, grab some meat bug stew, and reminisce about the glorious times behind the Barrier...