Embracer Group is closing down Volition Games

31.08.2023 - 17:21 / destructoid.com / Lars Wingefors / Red Faction

Volition Games is shutting down. The studio behind games like Saints Row, Summoner, Red Faction, and more is being shuttered by parent company Embracer Group.

In a statement shared on LinkedIn, the studio announced the news. This past June, Embracer announced its restructuring plan, in which it confirmed there would be studio closures.

“As part of that program, [Embracer] evaluated strategic and operational goals and made the difficult decision to close Volition effective immediately,” reads Volition’s statement.

Volition also confirms that it’s working with the team to provide job assistance and “help smooth the transition” for Volition members. “We thank our customers and fans around the world for all the love and support over the years,” the studio says. “You will always be in our hearts.”

We’ve reached out for additional comment from Volition and Embracer.

There’s a lot of history in Volition Games, stretching back through the years. While Saints Row is likely their most well-known series, the studio also worked on the Red Faction series, Summoner, and the FreeSpace and Descent games.

Volition hit some rocky waters with its 2022 version of Saints Row, which garnered some mixed reception. It, like many other studios, was vacuumed up by Embracer Group. It’s a disheartening thing to see, especially as the news slowly broke this morning from employees laid off and out of work amidst the studio’s closure.

Embracer’s restructuring is set to happen in phases through to March 2024, and will “include, but not be limited to, closing or divestments of some studios and the termination or pausing of some ongoing game development projects,” Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors said at the time.

For reference, the Embracer Group also has Gearbox, Crystal Dynamics, THQ Nordic, Plaion, Asmodee, and Saber under its umbrella.