Summary
Don’t Nod Entertainmenthas shared that its most recent games,JusantandBanishers: Ghosts of New Eden,didn’t meet the studio’s sales expectations. The French video game developer is most well known for its popularLife is Strangenarrative adventure franchise, butDon’t Nod Entertainmenthas branched out since parting ways with the IP, shifting toward developing more triple-A-style games while at the same time still making smaller, indie-style experiences. The studio’s 90s-inspired spiritual successor toLife is Strange,Lost Records: Bloom and Rage,is scheduled for release in early 2025.
Don’t Nod stayed busy in 2023, releasing two smaller indie-style titles. The narrative adventure gameHarmony: The Fall of Reveriefeatured a gorgeous 2D art style and garnered positive reviews when it was released last summer. In the Fall, the studio released aclimbing adventure game titledJusant,taking players on a treacherous climb up a towering mountain. Don’t Nod hasn’t slowed down in 2024 either, as February saw the release of one of the studio’s more triple-A-style efforts,Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. This action-adventure title focused on a set of dual protagonist ghost hunters in late-1600s New England.
As part of its latest financial report,Don’t Nod Entertainment expressedthatJusantand thevery well-receivedBanishers: Ghosts of New Edendidn’t live up to their respective sales expectations. Due to this, the studio has revealed that it’s putting two of its unannounced projects temporarily on hold. The studio specifies that these titles are currently in the design phase, and its strategy will be to shift its resources to the projects that have the most potential to be successful with the widest possible audience.
Neither Jusant Nor Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Met Don’t Nod’s Sales Expectations
Fans of the studio who have been eagerly awaitingLost Records: Bloom and Ragedon’t need to worry, as the game is still on track for its release early next year. Don’t Nod mentioned that it was pleased withLost Records' reception at this year’s Gamescom, andthe game’s similarities toLifeisStrangecould give it the leg up thatJusantandBanishersdidn’t have. As for the two projects being put on pause within Don’t Nod, they’re entirely unknown. 2018’sVampyrand 2020’sTell Me Whyare two of Don’t Nod’s more popular games, but it’s unclear whether sequels are potentially in the works. Nothing is publicly known about Don’t Nod’s future slate of games beyondLost Records: Bloom and Rage.
Fans wonder whether the underwhelming performance ofJusantandBanisherswill cause Don’t Nod to pull back on exploring different genres as it’s done over the past several years.Lost Records: Bloom and Rageis set to release as two episodes, with the first coming in February 2025 and the second in March.Life is Strangefans are looking forward to the return of the original game’s protagonist, Max Caulfield, inLife is Strange: Double Exposurefrom Deck Nine,which is scheduled for release on July 17, 2025.
