Breaking Report: Stormfront To Shutter Studio

Author: by Staff

Gamasutra has learned from multiple sources close to the developer that Bay Area-based developer Stormfront Studios (The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers) is in the process of closure after nearly two decades of operation. The company most recently finished development on its adaptation of children's property The Spiderwick Chronicles with publisher Sierra, first announced last year, for Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PC. Previous to that, the company was behind a host of titles, including the critically acclaimed licensed action title The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, and Vivendi property Eragon. It also has a long history of console properties including Madden and NASCAR titles, and the original AOL-partnered online Neverwinter Nights. Independent reports have indicated that lack of new project signings have led to the shutdown. [UPDATE: Industry site Next-Gen has received confirmation from a Stormfront rep that the 33-person company were told of the imminent shutting down yesterday, due to adverse business conditions.]