Video Games
‘Alone in the Dark’ Remake Developer Pieces Interactive Shut Down
The current precariousness of the video games industry took another hit today. Weeks after Embracer Group revealed that Pieces Interactive’s remake of Alone in the Dark had “performed below management expectations”, it’s now being reported that the developer has been shut down by Embracer Group. Pieces Interactive had posted to the main page of their website and on the studio’s social media accounts the caption “Pieces Interactive: 2007–2024. Thanks for playing with us.”
Per Game Developer, former Pieces Interactive character artist Gustav Pethrus confirmed via LinkedIn that the company was indeed closing.
The closure of Pieces Interactive follows the layoffs done earlier in the year at the developer by Embracer Group, which was part of a major restructuring by the company. Borderlands developer Gearbox Interactive and Evil Dead: The Game developer Saber Interactive had been sold off back in March, while Eidos Montreal (which Embracer had acquired back in May 2022) had its in-development Deus Ex game cancelled.
Prior to the layoffs, the situation for Pieces Interactive had been made more complicated due to the weak commercial response and mixed critical reception to the Alone in the Dark remake. Despite being rough around the edges, we found that the game was still a worthwhile playthrough.
Alone in the Dark is available on PC via Steam, Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5.
Video Games
Upcoming “Willy Wonka Meets BioShock” FPS ‘Twisted Tower’ Launches on August 18 [Trailer]
After dropping a demo last year for their upcoming “BioShock Meets Disneyland” horror title Twisted Tower, developer Atmos Games has announced an August 18th release date for the game, complete with a brand new trailer. While the demo is no longer available, you can, however sign up for the Playtest from the official Steam page.
Blast your way through an abandoned 1950s theme park, the eponymous Twisted Tower, crawling with fairy-tale mascots, twisted puzzles, and deadly traps. Uncover the dark secrets of your past as you race to the top to win the prize and the love of your life. It’s been decades since there’s been a single guest, but the park’s silly mascots will certainly be ready to accommodate you with expert fashion. They’ve been cooped up for years, so they may be looking for a hug.
Choose from dozens of unique paths up the cozy halls of the park castle as you explore its five areas. Sporting “punchy, bloody gunplay”, you can upgrade a slew of deadly weapons ranging from a whack-a-mole mallet to a skull-poppin’ ray gun, and gain new abilities as you climb your way up the tower to win a heaping pile of money and the hand of your childhood sweetheart, Charlotte.