London, UK – Flaming Fowl, the British video game developer known for its work on titles like Fable Fortune and Gloomhaven, recently announced their new project Ironmarked. However, the unveiling of Ironmarked came hand in hand with the news of the studio halting development and laying off some of its staff.
The studio, founded by former members of Lionhead Studios, shared the announcement on Steam, showcasing Ironmarked as a co-op RPG with turn-based combat. Despite the excitement surrounding the new project, Flaming Fowl revealed the unfortunate reality of the current lack of funding in the games industry, leading to the decision to pause production and downsize the team.
CEO Craig Oman shed light on the challenges faced by the studio, citing a lack of publisher support as a major setback. Despite initial interest and offers for Ironmarked, the shifting landscape of the industry made it difficult to secure the necessary funding to continue development.
The layoffs at Flaming Fowl have significantly reduced the size of the team, with plans to focus on a small, self-funded strategy title in the interim. The release of an Ironmarked demo serves as a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication, with hopes of garnering enough interest to revive the project in the future.
The industry-wide trend of reduced investment in new projects has posed challenges for many game development studios, with Flaming Fowl’s situation reflecting a broader issue faced by the gaming community. As the studio navigates these uncertain times, the support of players through wishlists on platforms like Steam could potentially shape the future of Ironmarked and similar projects.
In the ever-evolving landscape of game development, Flaming Fowl’s journey serves as a reminder of the resilience and perseverance required to bring creative visions to life. While the road ahead may be uncertain, the dedication of the remaining team members and the support of the gaming community offer a glimmer of hope for the future of Ironmarked.