Ballistic Moon Reportedly Shuts Down Following Until Dawn Remake Release
Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the Until Dawn remake, has reportedly shut down.
Image via Ballistic Moon
Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the 2024 Until Dawn remake, has reportedly ceased operations, leaving most of its staff unemployed. According to a report from Insider Gaming, the studio has "effectively" shut down, with only the founders and a small group of employees remaining. This remake of Until Dawn marked Ballistic Moon’s debut project, which now appears to also be its last if the reports prove accurate.
The original Until Dawn, released in 2015, brought widespread attention to Supermassive Games, previously known for their work on the Little Big Planet franchise. The interactive horror title’s success laid the foundation for future projects like The Dark Pictures Anthology and 2022’s The Quarry. However, when Sony announced the Until Dawn remake in May 2024, many were surprised to learn that Ballistic Moon not Supermassive Games would be handling the project.
Despite early indications that Sony had significant plans for Ballistic Moon, reports suggest that the studio has now been dismantled. Insider Gaming’s sources claim that the company’s entire development, public relations, and marketing teams were let go. While the studio’s leadership had reportedly been pitching new projects in hopes of securing future funding, these efforts seem to have fallen short. As a result, post-launch support for the Until Dawn remake may also be discontinued, despite ongoing player concerns about persistent bugs.
Further raising questions about the studio’s status, Ballistic Moon’s official website remains outdated, still advertising the remake as "coming soon" despite the game’s release in October 2024.
Phased Layoffs Began Before the Game's Release
The studio's collapse appears to have been a gradual process rather than a sudden shutdown. Reports indicate that the first round of layoffs occurred in September 2024, one month before the Until Dawn remake launched, affecting approximately a dozen employees. Another 20 workers were reportedly dismissed in December. While former staff members generally reflected positively on their time at Ballistic Moon, some raised concerns about instances of unpaid overtime.
Uncertain Future for Until Dawn Franchise
The reported closure casts doubt on future developments within the Until Dawn series. Actor Peter Stormare, who portrayed Dr. Hill in the original game and the upcoming movie adaptation set to release in April, had previously teased the possibility of a sequel. However, if a follow-up is planned, it would likely require a new development partner or a return to Supermassive Games.
The Until Dawn remake itself received a mixed reception compared to the original. According to OpenCritic, the remake holds a "Fair" rating with a Top Critic Average of 69—ten points below the original game’s score of 79, which was classified as "Strong."
As of now, neither Ballistic Moon nor Sony has issued any official statements addressing the studio's reported shutdown or the future of the Until Dawn franchise.
