Tequila Works, the beloved indie studio based in Madrid known for titles like Rime, filed for bankruptcy in 2024 due to “prolonged market conditions.” Currently, the studio’s assets—which encompass rights to several of its games and various new intellectual properties that were under development at the time of its closure—are being auctioned online, with many of these properties available at surprisingly low prices.
The assets are being listed on Escrapalia, a Spanish online auction platform known for selling surplus assets from company liquidations, covering everything from tech equipment to recreational vehicles. Amidst this diverse array of goods, the video game intellectual property rights stand out as a rather unconventional offering, but you can find Tequila Works’ assets available for bidding as if they were listed on eBay.
Among the items for sale are trademarks and intellectual property rights for titles such as Rime, Deadlight, The Invisible Hours, and Gylt. The listing for Rime, for instance, offers the opportunity to obtain “the exploitation rights of the video game ‘RiME,’ along with the right to receive royalties, subject to the limitations outlined in the current contract with Grey Box (Game Development and Publishing Agreement), which restricts assignments without explicit consent.” If you are fortunate enough to win the auction, you’ll receive “a hard drive containing all pertinent information related to the game.”
The starting bid for Rime stands at approximately $17,500 USD, a price that may not appeal to casual buyers. However, there are other intriguing items, particularly new projects still in development, that are more affordable. These include The Ancient Mariner, an open-world narrative experience with a unique “systemic emotional system,” Dungeon Tour, a collaborative party game described as “a conceptual mix of Overcooked and Dungeon Keeper,” and Brawler Crawler, a retro-style brawler set in urban environments with “procedurally generated lanes.”
These titles are each available for around $305 USD, so if you’re looking to own a piece of gaming heritage, this could be your chance—just ensure that it’s preserved by historians who understand their significance. The rights to the Tequila Works brand itself are up for grabs at the same price point, but with just over a month remaining on these auctions, it’s uncertain how high the bids might climb.
The dissolution of Tequila Works is indicative of the struggles many studios faced in 2024, and witnessing the breakup and resale of their works through an eBay-like auction can be disheartening. It’s my hope that the eventual new rights holders will honor the legacy of these games, as we’re inundated with too many revitalized brands that simply rehash existing content these days.
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