Embracer Group Shuts Down New World Interactive, Studio Behind Insurgency Games
New World Interactive, the studio behind popular games Insurgency and Insurgency: Sandstorm, has been shut down by Embracer Group as part of the company’s self-described “restructuring.” The news was first reported by Nick Calandra of Second Wind and shortly confirmed to Insider Gaming by multiple sources. The announcement was made to employees on Monday morning.
Founded in 2010, New World Interactive’s first game, Insurgency, released in 2014. The studio put out two more titles – Day of Infamy and Insurgency: Sandstorm — before being acquired by Embracer Group in August 2020. The studio had multiple new games in development as of 2023, but none had been revealed. At last check, Insurgency: Sandstorm was averaging nearly 4,000 players per day on Steam over the last three months, six years after its release.
Embracer Group has yet to respond to comment on the closure of New World Interactive or respond to requests from Insider Gaming. This news follows Embracer Group’s confirmation that Free Radical Design was at risk of closure, while also laying off employees at multiple other studios. There have also been talks of selling Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment.
Embracer Group’s actions have raised questions about the continuing layoffs and studio closures. The closure of New World Interactive comes as a shock to many fans and industry professionals. What do you make of Embracer Group continuing to lay off people and shut down studios like New World Interactive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.