Free Radical Design Shuts Down Operations

In a recent statement released on December 13, 2023, Plaion officially announced the closure of Free Radical Design. The publisher expressed its sadness, stating, "It is with great regret that we must announce another challenging decision. Today, we confirm the official closure of Free Radical Design and bid farewell to many exceptional, skilled, and dedicated individuals." The company also expressed gratitude for the contributions made by the studio's employees and wished them success in their future endeavors. Initially reported on December 11, 2023, the shutdown of Free Radical Design was confirmed through social media posts from employees, resulting in the layoffs of approximately 80 employees due to Embracer Group's ongoing restructuring efforts. A senior artist at the company, Mark Normington, commented on the closure, saying, "My last day at Free Radical Design has arrived, leaving me and over 80 colleagues without work at the most inopportune time. I wish my fellow colleagues the best of luck and success in their future pursuits." Visitors to the company's website are now met with a message that reads, "404 Company Not Found :-(." Earlier in November, there were reports suggesting that Free Radical Design might be shut down following an evaluation by Embracer. Later that month, allegations emerged that the studio would close on December 11, which Embracer denied, stating that an email confirming the shutdown on that date was inaccurate. GamesIndustry.biz has since reached out to Embracer for a statement regarding the matter.