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Hand of Fate studio Defiant Development to close

Hand of Fate studio Defiant Development to close

Brisbane-based Hand of Fate studio Defiant Development is to close leaving its staff looking for new jobs.

Unable to keep up with the changes seen in the games industry since its inception, the Australian firm has stated its plans to halt development on new games.

The news means games such as A World in My Attic (trailer below) will not see completion.

While the development of new titles may have ceased, Defiant will continue in care-taker mode to support its existing products.

“It is with sadness that we announce Defiant is ceasing Development,” read a statement on the company’s Facebook page.

“First and foremost, that means that our incredibly talented team are looking for new roles. Every one of them is a champion in their field. If you can hire them, you should.

"When we started this studio, we did so with a clear goal in mind. To hire great people, to create great games and to do that in an ethical manner with respect for our team and our audience.

“In 2010, Australia desperately needed studios to demonstrate that it was possible to have substantial, Australian owned, IP generating homes for talent. That there could be a studio model in Australia that would thrive without being dependant on international ownership. That Australian studios could make console games again. Nine years later, there is no question that is true, and there are many Australian studios old and new demonstrating that Australian game development is truly world-class."

“The Defiant model has always focused on creating games nobody else would. Games that reflected the skills and passions of our team. Games that did something new. Our process has always been focused on iteration and exploration. We go into dark places, searching for hidden treasures. We set out without knowing where the journey will take us, and we do so knowing that the unknown is not always safe.

“That is a risky way to make games, and we knew that. When it succeeds it delivers things you could never have considered possible. When it fails, it leaves you without a safety net. The games market has changed in ways both big and small in the nine years we've been in business. We have not been able to change quickly enough to continue with them.

"To everyone who has supported us on this journey, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To everyone who's ever worked with Defiant, thank you so much for sharing your work and yourselves.”


Staff Writer

Kayleigh is the Staff Writer for PocketGamer.biz. Besides PGbiz and PCGI she has written as a list writer for Game Rant, rambling about any and all things games related. You can also find her on Twitter talking utter nonsense.