Counterplay Games, the studio behind the PlayStation 5 launch title Godfall, may have disbanded. This information stems from a LinkedIn post shared by PlayStation Lifestyle, where an employee from Jackalyptic Games revealed that Counterplay was collaborating on a project that ultimately did not progress into 2025. According to the post, the studio subsequently “disbanded.” Counterplay Games has not yet issued an official statement, but the silence surrounding the company since 2022 lends credence to the claim.
Godfall was announced as the first PS5 title but struggled to meet expectations after its release in late 2020. Despite its ambition as a loot-focused hack-and-slash RPG, it received mixed reviews due to repetitive gameplay mechanics and an underwhelming story. While a significant update in 2021 aimed to address some criticisms, the game failed to generate strong sales or sustain a dedicated player base.
The studio’s limited activity since bringing Godfall to Xbox in April 2022 further raises questions about its fate. Counterplay has not announced any new projects or provided updates, making a quiet closure plausible. If true, the shutdown may have occurred toward the end of 2024, as suggested by the timing in the LinkedIn post.
Counterplay’s rumored closure highlights the ongoing difficulties faced by smaller studios in the competitive gaming industry. Rising development costs, high player expectations, and crowded market conditions have made survival increasingly challenging. Even well-known studios have not been immune to these pressures. In 2024 alone, Sony shuttered Firewalk Studios and mobile developer Neon Koi after underwhelming performances from their respective projects.
While Counterplay was not backed by a larger parent company, it likely faced similar struggles, including the challenge of funding and marketing in a competitive space. Without official confirmation, fans of Godfall and potential Counterplay releases can only speculate about the exact reasons behind the studio’s reported end.
For now, the future of Godfall and Counterplay Games remains uncertain. Further updates may shed light on the studio’s fate, but for many, this marks another sobering reminder of the harsh realities of modern game development.
