Possibility Space Studio, Founded by State of Decay Creator, Shut Down
Studio Closure and Employee Displacement
Possibility Space, a renowned studio founded by Jeff Strain, the creator of the popular game State of Decay, has recently closed its doors, leaving many former employees displaced and in search of new opportunities. The studio’s unfortunate shutdown was reported by several tweets from its ex-employees, confirming the unfortunate news.
Announcement from a Former Employee
A recent LinkedIn post from Jennifer Lane, a live director and social systems director at Possibility Space, confirmed the studio’s closure. In her post dated April 12, Lane expressed her disappointment and mentioned the sudden availability of many talented coworkers, urging potential employers to consider them for various positions in design, engineering, art, community, and other roles. She also mentioned her own availability for new opportunities.
Studio Closure Attributed to Project Cancellation
Further information about the studio’s closure was revealed via an email extracted by Polygon’s Nicole Carpenter, which was written by Jeff Strain. In the email, Strain specifically blamed the studio’s shutdown on the cancellation of a major project, claiming that the decision was made due to internal leaks to the press.
The email cited Ethan Gach, a senior reporter from Kotaku, as the source of the leaks. Strain expressed shock and disappointment at seeing the non-public information about the project, including details of their publishing partner, business and financial relations, as well as internal discussions and meetings. He also mentioned the immediate negative impact on the project that led to the cancellation of the publishing partnership.
Official Announcement from Jeff Strain
According to the email from Strain, the cancellation of the publishing relationship and the subsequent declines in the project forced the closure of Possibility Space. The email informed employees that their last day of employment would be the day of the studio’s closure, and mentioned the finalization of details regarding severance and employment separation. Strain reassured former employees that an employment attorney would be in touch soon to guide them through the process and handle matters related to their employment.
To further ensure the protection of the company’s intellectual property and other confidential information, Strain authorized employees to keep their development equipment. However, they were required to delete all company-related data, confirm the deletion in writing, and adhere strictly to their existing confidentiality obligations.
Strain concluded the email by thanking the former employees and announcing his departure from the game industry to prioritize his family and the care of Annie, presumably a loved one in need of support.
About Possibility Space Studio
Possibility Space Studio, first established in 2021 under the Prytania Media label, was the brainchild of Jeff Strain and his wife, Annie Delisi Strain. With Strain’s remarkable success in developing the game State of Decay, the studio gained considerable recognition in the gaming industry. However, the studio’s unfortunate closure marks the end of an era.
