Funding
Ongoing coverage on Funding.
Latest coverage
Gamecity Hamburg Supports Five New Games with Prototype Funding
Gamecity Hamburg, an initiative of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, is providing up to 80,000 euros in prototype funding to five game development projects based in Hamburg. The selected games include Manor Cartographer, Odem, Welken, Ungradable: Twisted Card Grading, and The Wrong Horse. A second funding round is scheduled for fall 2026.
BFI announces recipients of IBD awards, launches new funding stream for UK devs
The BFI has announced recipients for its International Business Development awards and launched a new funding stream for UK game developers' marketing efforts, following an increase in its UK Global Screen Fund budget. Dlala Studios and Newfangled Games are among five independent studios receiving grants ranging from £50,000 to £200,000 to support international growth and IP development. A new Video Games Release funding stream offers up to £50,000 for marketing, promotion, and localization costs.
Gang of Dragon Studio Website Goes Offline
The official website for Nagoshi Studio's Gang of Dragon has gone offline, following the removal of the studio's YouTube channel and reports that NetEase has ceased funding. This raises concerns about the game's potential cancellation or hiatus as the studio seeks new financial backing. NetEase reportedly cut funding due to increasing development costs and the studio's failure to ship a title, but has allowed development to continue while Nagoshi Studio looks for alternative funding.
Gang of Dragon Studio’s Website Has Been Taken Offline
Nagoshi Studio's official website has been taken offline, following the earlier disappearance of its YouTube page. This action, coupled with reports of NetEase ceasing funding for the project Gang of Dragon due to budget overruns, strongly suggests the game's cancellation or indefinite postponement. Director Toshihiro Nagoshi may be seeking alternative funding to revive the project.
Gang of Dragon studio website disappears without notice as NetEase funding dries up
The official website for Nagoshi Studio, founded by Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, has disappeared following NetEase's withdrawal of funding for their debut game, Gang of Dragon. While the studio's YouTube channel remains, the website's disappearance suggests a worsening situation for the project, which was revealed at The Game Awards 2025.
New Star Wars RPG led by Mass Effect boss backed by $100 million fund "bringing common sense back to the games industry" as it "treats developers so badly"
GreaterThan Group, a new holding company founded by former NetEase president Simon Zhu, has secured $100 million to fund game development. Among its initial projects is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, led by Arcanaut Studios co-founder Casey Hudson. Zhu aims to create better conditions for developers, stating the industry currently treats them poorly.
Distinct Possibility Studios Closes Additional Funding Round Led by Decasonic
Distinct Possibility Studios has closed an additional funding round led by Decasonic to support the development and upcoming Steam Early Access launch of their online shooter, Reaper Actual. Industry veterans Bing Gordon and Paul Hsu have joined the company's Board of Directors. The new capital and expertise will aid in polishing the player experience for the game's launch in the coming weeks.
Indika developer raises $5M in funding for next project
Odd Meter, the developer behind the narrative-driven game Indika, has secured $5 million in funding led by GEM Capital and Autotelic Ventures. The studio plans to use the investment to develop its next unannounced project, with a decision on whether to self-publish or partner with a publisher to be made later in development. This funding will allow the team to expand and focus on pushing their narrative and artistic goals further.
Gang of Dragon Studio YouTube Channel Goes Offline
The official YouTube channel for Nagoshi Studio's upcoming game Gang of Dragon has been taken offline, following reports that NetEase Games has ceased funding for the project. NetEase reportedly cited increasing development costs and the studio's lack of shipped titles as reasons for cutting off the estimated $44.4 million needed to complete the game. Nagoshi Studio, founded by Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, intends to seek funding elsewhere and has been allowed to continue development while doing so.
Gang of Dragon's YouTube Channel Goes Up In Smoke
Rumors suggest Toshihiro Nagoshi's "Gang of Dragons" may be canceled, with its developer Nagoshi Studio's YouTube channel being deleted and NetEase reportedly pulling funding. The game, Nagoshi's first since leaving Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, is facing significant financial hurdles, with the studio seeking new partners as current funding is set to expire. This situation mirrors other high-profile game cancellations in the industry.
Nagoshi Studio Wipes YouTube Channel Amid Gang of Dragon Funding Crisis
Nagoshi Studio, founded by Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, has reportedly wiped its entire YouTube channel amid significant funding issues for its upcoming game, Gang of Dawn. The studio, previously backed by NetEase, appears to be facing financial difficulties, leading to speculation about the project's future and the potential winding down of operations.
Nagoshi Studio removes entire YouTube channel and Gang of Dragon trailers following funding woes
Nagoshi Studio has removed its entire YouTube channel, including trailers for its game Gang of Dragon, following reports that NetEase has pulled funding. The studio, led by Toshihiro Nagoshi, was reportedly seeking new investors to continue development after failing to secure a new deal by May. Gang of Dragon was intended as a spiritual successor to the Yakuza series.
Gang Of Dragon Developer Has Seemingly Erased Its YouTube Channel
Nagoshi Studio, the developer behind Gang Of Dragon, has reportedly deleted its YouTube channel amidst financial struggles. The studio's funding partner, NetEase, has backed out, leaving the game's future uncertain as its estimated $44 million development cost looms and current funding is set to expire soon.
Business and Finance
Rockfish Games has secured an €8 million grant as part of Germany's initiative to bolster its domestic game industry. This funding aims to support the growth and development of German game studios.
Announced Nearly Half a Decade Ago, Quantic Dream's Star Wars Game Reportedly Still 'Years Off'
Quantic Dream's Star Wars Eclipse is reportedly still years away from completion, with development described as very slow. The studio's owner, NetEase, is reportedly relying on the success of the Early Access PC game Spellcasters Chronicles to fund Star Wars Eclipse's development.
MMO Week in Review: Queen Devona
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Guild Wars Reforged, layoffs at MechWarrior studio Piranha Games, and a potential acquisition of Epic Games by Disney. The article also touches on political discussions surrounding game shutdowns in Europe and new early access dates for Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era.
VR developer Polyarc Games facing layoffs, unspecified number of employees affected
VR developer Polyarc Games has announced company-wide layoffs due to the cancellation of a major project and an inability to secure further funding. The studio, known for the adventure game Moss, stated that a significant reduction in staff was necessary. This situation reflects a broader trend of workforce reductions within the VR industry, with Meta also implementing cuts across its Reality Labs division.
Iconic Devs Say the Industry Feels 'Crashier' Now Than the Actual Video Game Crash of the 80s
John and Brenda Romero, founders of Romero Games, believe the current state of the video game industry is more challenging than the 1983 crash. They cite difficulties in securing funding and widespread layoffs, even at successful studios like EA's Battlefield division, as evidence of the industry's instability.
Corepunk Q&A discusses recent layoffs, future updates, and challenges with funding and perception
Corepunk developer Artificial Core addressed recent layoffs, attributing them to temporary funding interruptions that are expected to be resolved within a couple of months. The studio also discussed challenges with public perception since the game's announcement and outlined future update plans, including a new raid dungeon, a potential new class, guilds, expanded open-world content, and more map expansions, though specific timelines for these updates are not yet available.
A year on from launching Wanderstop, Ivy Road are closing their doors after struggling to fund their next game
Ivy Road, the studio behind the game Wanderstop, is closing its doors on March 31st, 2026, after failing to secure funding for its next project, Engine Angel. Despite the closure, a surprise update for Wanderstop is still planned, and the game will remain available on all platforms. The team hopes Engine Angel might still be developed in the future.
