Acid Wizard Studios Announces Indefinite Hiatus Following Release of Soccer Kids

Acid Wizard Studios, the developer behind the successful survival horror game Darkwood, has recently revealed that they will be going on an indefinite hiatus. This announcement comes just months after the studio’s unveiling of their latest game, Soccer Kids, which marked their return after a five-year absence from the gaming scene.

Darkwood, initially released on Steam early access in 2014, quickly gained popularity among horror game enthusiasts due to its unique atmosphere and immersive presentation. However, after its full release in 2017, Acid Wizard Studios seemed to disappear.

In June of this year, the Polish studio resurfaced and explained in a blog post that the intense five-year development of Darkwood took a toll on the team both mentally and physically, requiring an extended break. While the possibility of a Darkwood sequel was considered, the overwhelming workload of the original game loomed over the decision-making process.

Instead, Acid Wizard Studios opted to focus on Soccer Kids, a turn-based sports game set in 90s Poland during its transition from a socialist republic to a democracy. The game follows a mathematically minded teenager and his friends as they embark on a quest to win a local street soccer tournament. A playable alpha version of Soccer Kids was released on Steam alongside the announcement and has received updates since. However, the studio has now decided to put the project on hold indefinitely.

In a statement, Acid Wizard Studios explained that the decision to go on hiatus was driven by their desire to create a work environment that would not negatively impact their personal lives and families. They emphasized that their families are their top priority and should not be affected by their work. They also mentioned the possibility of a return in 5-10 years when they have organized their priorities.

Before going on hiatus, Acid Wizard Studios plans to release a new update for Darkwood, which will include performance improvements, Steam Cloud support, improved controller support, and more. They want to ensure that their games continue to thrive even during their absence.

The studio has also expressed openness to collaborations with other developers or publishers who are interested in working on a Darkwood sequel or continuing the development of Soccer Kids. They encourage interested parties to reach out and spread the word about these opportunities.

The release date for Darkwood’s 1.4 update has yet to be announced, but the game is currently in beta testing.