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Aphelion

News, coverage and analysis tracking Aphelion across the outlets.

Latest coverage

newest first, grouped by day
EurogamerVery negative

"This company has been driven into a wall for years" - Life is Strange studio Don't Nod faces unrest while teetering on insolvency

French studio Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange, is facing deep unrest and has entered safeguard proceedings to avoid insolvency. The company is undergoing significant restructuring, including substantial layoffs, while attempting to complete its in-development game codenamed P14 through increased outsourcing. Employees report a prolonged period of uncertainty and anxiety, with management's decisions criticized for negatively impacting staff health and livelihoods.

Shack NewsVery negative

Don't Nod is in financial strife, opens safeguard proceedings

The company behind the Life is Strange series, Don't Nod, has entered safeguard proceedings after the Paris Business Court granted its request due to a poor cash position that prevents it from securing financing for its operations and projects. CEO Oskar Guilbert acknowledged the impact on teams, indicating potential layoffs are likely as the company seeks a sustainable solution amidst a challenging industry environment.

PC GamerVery negative

The studio behind Life is Strange, Jusant, and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is desperately struggling to stay afloat

Don't Nod, the studio behind Life is Strange and Jusant, is facing severe financial difficulties and has entered "safeguard proceedings" to buy time. Despite critical acclaim for games like Jusant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, sales have fallen "well below expectations," leading to layoffs and the postponement of new projects. CEO Oskar Guilbert cited the challenging financing environment in the videogame industry as a major factor.

Shack NewsNeutral

Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 2: Steam Autumn Sale and friends

The annual Steam Autumn Sale has begun, offering discounts on a wide range of PC games, including recent releases and older titles. Several other digital storefronts like GOG.com, Epic Games Store, and Fanatical are also hosting their own autumn sales, providing various deals and free games.

Last Word GamingVery negative

Video Game Studio Don't Nod Entertainment Could Shut Down

Don't Nod Entertainment, the studio behind Life is Strange, is facing severe financial difficulties and may cease operations by January 31, 2027. The company is considering laying off up to 90 employees as part of a restructuring plan to address cash flow issues. Despite a minority investment from Tencent in 2020, the Chinese company does not plan further investment, leaving Don't Nod reliant on securing external financing to survive.

PC GamerVery negative

Don't Nod might not have enough cash to make it through January 2027, and even if it does, pulling up could…

Developer Don't Nod is facing severe financial difficulties, with a material uncertainty about its ability to continue operating beyond January 31, 2027. Poor sales of recent titles like Jusant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, coupled with increased development costs for a Netflix collaboration, have led to a significant decrease in operating revenue. The company is undergoing a restructure in France that may involve up to 90 layoffs.

Gaming BoltVery negative

DON’T NOD Announces Lay Offs Affecting Up To 90 Employees as Part of New Business Plan

DON’T NOD has announced potential layoffs of up to 90 employees as part of a new business plan and restructuring effort. The company cited profound changes in the economic conditions of the video game industry and its financing as reasons for the difficult measures, which are essential for its continued operations and long-term growth.

Games IndustryVery negative

Don't Nod warns it may not have enough funding to operate beyond January 2027

Don't Nod, the studio behind Life is Strange, has warned it may not have enough funding to continue operating beyond January 2027 without securing external financing. The company is also considering cutting up to 90 jobs in France as part of a restructuring plan due to declining revenue and widening operating losses.

Rock Paper ShotgunNegative

Life is Strange developer Don't Nod look primed for layoffs, as the studio announces a "transformation intitiative"

Life is Strange developer Don't Nod is initiating a "transformation initiative" that is likely to result in layoffs, as the company cites deteriorating economic conditions in the video game industry. The studio has convened employee representative bodies to discuss a potential job protection plan and has begun negotiations with labor unions.

EurogamerNegative

Life is Strange and Aphelion studio Don't Nod probably facing layoffs again, as it announces ominous-sounding "transformation initiative"

French developer Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is initiating a "transformation initiative" that strongly suggests impending layoffs. The company cited "profound changes in the economic conditions of the video game industry" and deteriorating economic indicators as reasons for adapting its operating model, with negotiations underway for a job-preservation plan.

Gaming BoltNegative

DON’T NOD Announces Restructuring to “Maintain its Competitiveness”, Might Involve Layoffs

DON'T NOD has announced a restructuring aimed at maintaining competitiveness, which is expected to involve layoffs. The company will meet with employee representatives to implement a job protection plan, with further details anticipated soon. This follows previous rumors and industry-wide concerns about job cuts.

Invision CommunityNegative

Aphelion Review – A Stunning Yet Frustrating Sci-Fi Experience | Invision Game Community

Aphelion is a visually stunning but frustrating sci-fi experience from Don't Nod, featuring a slow-paced narrative and inconsistent checkpoint system. While the game boasts beautiful icy vistas and good voice acting, it lacks the character development and meaningful choices found in the studio's previous titles. Ultimately, it's a serviceable walking simulator with a standard sci-fi mystery that falls short of its potential.

Retro GamerNegative

Tencent is reportedly looking to back out of several studio investments like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous, but…

Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several minority investments in video game studios, including a 20% stake in Marvelous, the developer of Story of Seasons. This reassessment of its portfolio may involve selling stakes back to original management, even at a loss. Investments in studios like PlatinumGames and FromSoftware are reportedly unaffected.

NvidiaVery positive

Sync and Stream: GeForce NOW Connects to Members’ Game Libraries Across Devices

NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service is expanding its library with new titles from various PC game stores, allowing players to stream games they already own across multiple devices. The service is also offering discounted annual memberships for its Performance and Ultimate tiers this summer. New games like Embers of the Uncrowned and Pro Cycling Manager 26 are being added, with some available through services like Xbox Game Pass.

Rock Paper ShotgunVery negative

Life is Strange creator Don't Nod look to be in hot water as a financial report says they'll be out of cash by November

French game developer Don't Nod, known for the Life is Strange series, is reportedly facing a severe cash shortage and may run out of funds by November 2026. Despite releasing five games in three years, recent titles have not performed well enough, and minority stakeholder Tencent is not providing further funding. The company is exploring options including seeking external financing, accelerating a new game's release, or taking on work-for-hire projects.

EurogamerVery negative

Aphelion and Life is Strange developer Don't Nod in trouble as it struggles to secure funding for its next project

French studio Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is facing financial difficulties and may run out of cash by November as co-owner Tencent is unwilling to fund its next project or increase its stake. The company is seeking other publishers for funding, but discussions have not yet yielded commitments. This situation could lead to layoffs and a scaled-back development scope for its upcoming game, Project P14.

Nintendo EverythingNeutral

EDGE #424 review scores – Tomodachi Life, Pragmata, Mixtape, more

The July 2026 issue of EDGE magazine, issue #424, features review scores for several games including Mixtape, Pragmata, and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Other titles reviewed include Aphelion, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, and Vampire Crawlers.

Metro UKNeutral

Directive 8020 review – Until Dawn in space

Directive 8020 is Supermassive Games' latest interactive sci-fi horror title, drawing inspiration from films like The Thing and Aliens. While featuring excellent graphics, solid voice acting, and an innovative 'Turning Points' system allowing players to revisit decisions, the game is hampered by a lack of context for choices and a rigidly linear structure. The narrative, set on an exoplanet as humanity's last hope, suffers from character development issues and excessive walking through dark corridors, ultimately scoring a 6/10.

Escapist MagazinePositive

Alien Disclosure: The U.S releasing the UAP files ties into gaming tropes rather nicely

The recent declassification of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) files by the U.S. Department of War, FBI, and NASA has sparked discussions about their connection to gaming tropes. While no definitive proof of alien life was revealed, the release of reports from military personnel and astronauts, including transcripts from Apollo missions and sightings near military bases, highlights a growing seriousness in addressing these events. This influx of real-world mystery provides a rich source of inspiration for science fiction games exploring themes of space exploration, alien encounters, and humanity's place in the cosmos, as seen in titles like The Outer Wilds, Aphelion, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, Exodus, and Kerbal Space Program.

FZ.seNeutral

Säsong 9 slut – dubbla vinnare i FZ High Score!

The ninth season of FZ High Score has concluded, with Minnels and RobertWarrior94 sharing first place with 70 points each, earning them exclusive t-shirts. The season featured reviews for Kiln, Aphelion, and Saros, with Saros receiving the highest average score. Season 10 of FZ High Score is now underway.