Frostpunk developers 11 bit studios have canceled production of the up-to-date console-oriented game in response to both “changing market trends,” specifically failing player enthusiasm for “narrative-driven, story-rich games,” and specific development issues . As a result, a number of 11 bit employees will lose their jobs, although at least half of the affected development team will be given the opportunity to move on to other projects, including several unannounced ones.
As detailed in an investor release this weekthe canceled game was internally known as Project 8 and had 37 team members as of September 2024. For context, 11 bit studios currently employs over 150 employees recruitment website. Work on it began in early 2018, and by September this year, total development costs amounted to approximately PLN 48.4 million, or approximately £9.4 million, or $11.8 million.
“Our vision of Project 8, which was to be our first title designed specifically for console players, was bold and exciting,” notes Przemysław Marszał, president of the management board of 11 bit, in the release. “However, the idea was born in a completely different market environment, when narrative-driven and story-rich games were more popular.”
The bleak news of layoffs aside, I’m predictably both intrigued and concerned that 11 bit feels there’s less interest in games with a mighty narrative element these days. On the other hand, the reasons for cancellations are not solely macroeconomic. “We experienced both breakthroughs and failures in Project 8,” Marshal continued. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, stabilizing the development team proved particularly challenging, yet progress continued.
“While we achieved noticeable quality improvements in some areas, several critical aspects of the game and its development process remained problematic despite multiple iterations,” he said. “Over time, delays mounted and with each milestone, the project budget increased.”
During a recent unannounced review of the game’s project milestones, Marshal explained, “our findings revealed unresolved issues and challenges that would require a further extension of the production schedule and a corresponding enhance in budget. This, coupled with revised sales forecasts largely reflecting the changing market environment, has raised significant doubts about the overall viability of the project.”
It is not yet clear how many people will be made redundant as a result of the appeal, as it will be a phased reduction. The Marshal specified that “more than half” of the Project 8 team “will have the opportunity to move to other existing teams or to new, yet unannounced initiatives.”
I didn’t know 11 bit was working on a console focused game. Their latest Frostpunk 2 impressed many reviewers, although our Sin Vega was quite mixed about it, and its conclusions coincide with my concerns during the preview stage.
I’m also not entirely sure what to make of next year’s The Alters, a fanciful sci-fi tale in which you play as a survivor who clones himself to run an ongoing space base and then has to deal with his proportionately multiplied psychological baggage. I think it will be unforgettable, whatever happens. Aside from its own projects, 11 bit has also published some great third-party work, including the scathing religious fable Indika and the fantasy simulator Reshelding Moonlighter.
I’d be interested in seeing Project 8, assuming it was released on PC as well. Good luck to everyone affected by the cancellation. We hope that this will be the last work break in 2024. It certainly was long yearand not just for video game developers.
