Runic Games, the team behind Torchlight and HOB, has announced that it is closing down. We don’t know the reasons behind this closure, though we can assume that the latest game from Runic Games, HOB, did not sell well.
Runic Games was responsible for three games: Torchlight, Torchlight II and HOB. Torchlight and Torchlight II were action role-playing games, whereas HOB was an new action adventure title. HOB was released in September and currently has very positive reviews on Steam.
As Marsh Lefler, Runic Games’ Studio Head, said:
“It’s been over nine years since a rag-tag team of 17 developers helped open Runic Games. We’ve been so lucky for the community that has supported us and made us successful. Thanks to that support, we have had the chance to meet and work with the best people in the world. Our team here at Runic has released three successful games, and over that time we have seen many changes; team members got married, kids were born, but the most important thing is that we have become a family.”
Lefler concluded that there will be some news coming for those that love the Torchlight series. Perhaps the team will sell the game’s rights to another studio? That seems like the most likely scenario.
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
Contact: Email
Well, there goes another chance at getting a new ARPG down the drain.
good. hob was a piece of S meme game. should have made torchlight 3 first. hope they regret it everyday and it eats at them. pieces of trash.
You’re a very pleasant human being that brings rays of sunshine to this site with your every comment.
He upvotes his comments…………………
He comes off like a really miserable person that thinks obnoxious levels of cynicism is cool. People that find the negative in everything constantly are compensating for how lousy their own lives are.
“People that find the negative in everything constantly are compensating for how lousy their own lives are.”
So you think Hitler and Stalin have anything good to say about them?!
Sorry I speak my mind and dont live in a fantasy world where everything is perfect and I am able to not say anything that isnt positive,controversial or true…… uggghhhh,…. I cant even right now.
Sure sure, keep upvoting your own comments, who knows maybe that will help somone take you seriously someday.
Seriously…who other than self entitled, insecure people would up vote their own comments? I never understood that and probably never will.
Yeah me neither, i mean that totally invalidate the point of the vote. The vote is supost to show that u agree with that person. Why would u show that you agree with your own opinion ? Maybe he has dissociative identity disorder who knows.
Hob was great. If it wasn’t what you were expecting, that sucks, but for what it actually is, it’s great.
Either way, yeah, it took too long. They should have diverted resources to Torchlight 3 in order to give themselves options instead of putting all their eggs in the one basket, as the saying goes.
Then again, perhaps it was inevitable, considering their owner, Perfect World (see other comment).
Going by the comment above, it appears that it’s more of an issue with Perfect World and their “continued strategy to focus on
online games as a service.” rather than a decline at Runic. I vaguely remember hearing about Hob, checking out the Steam page and IMHO, it looks great, love its art style and the gameplay also looks appealing. Regardless, it’s a damn shame no matter which way you cut it, Torchlight 1 & 2 are incredible games, and even with the current highly competitive ARPG scene, there was/is plenty of room for the whimsical and unique universe of the Torchlight franchise. Runic Games will be sorely missed 🙁
Thats harsh……
For you
So that means we might never see a Torchlight 3? I can’t believe this…I hope THQ Nordic acquires the Torchlight series.
Some additional context, originating from a statement made to Kotaku by Runic Games’ owner, Perfect World;
“Perfect World Entertainment recently closed the Seattle office of Runic Games as part of the company’s continued strategy to focus on online games as a service. We’re grateful to the team for all of their hard work bringing incredible experiences like Torchlight, Torchlight 2 and Hob to life. Runic Games will remain a part of Perfect World Entertainment’s portfolio of studios, and its games will continue to be available to players, as we stay committed to supporting and growing Runic Games’ beloved franchises.
The staff reduction at Motiga and the closure of Runic Games Seattle were unrelated. Perfect World Entertainment stands committed to delivering the best massively multiplayer online gameplay experiences to our players.”
A sad day indeed 🙁 , thanks for the extra info. I hate to see this stuff happen to any team it just sucks, I hope they find new homes and continue to make cool games.
Yeah, very sad day. I loved the Torchlight series, can’t believe we won’t be seeing the third. I hope some members of Runic team up as indie devs.
Totally. I 100% hope this happens “I hope some members of Runic team up as indie devs.”
I bet if they put up a KS and say it will be a spiritual successor of Torchlight 2(with a diff name) and be SP, optional co-op, have a offline mode and graphics at least like Hob it get funded in a day. Going to keep my fingers crossed something like this happens, they need to go full indie no question.
Stop stealing other people’s comments.
HOB was a fantastic game let down by the lack of coverage. Not the sort of game I would normally play.
This may be harsh but I would see Torchlight die quietly with dignity and not continued as a lootcrate-filled service.
“as we stay committed to supporting and growing Runic Games’ beloved franchises”
oooh….
And thus ends the last remnants of some of the original Diablo team 🙁
i was really hoping for a Torchlight 3.. damn .. requiescat in pace. Fuuuk GAAS.