News

JoWood is no more
Posted: 21.04.2011 19:48 by JonahFalcon Comments: 10
It is the end of an era as longtime European publisher JoWood has shuttered its doors for good, as it has declared insolvency. The company had filed for bankruptcy in January. The company had been founded in 1995.

JoWood might have been rescued, when last month two potential investors were interested in the company. The company failed to achieve its recovery plan, however. In the first nine months of this fiscal year, the company recorded a net loss of over €25 million.

JoWooD employed a total of 85 people across Europe and North America, with approximately 20 to 25 based in Austria. Its share price has been steadily declining since 2000, with a crash in 2003 that the company never really recovered from despite rallying briefly in the beginning of 2006.

JoWood published such titles as Gothic 3 and Arcania: Gothic 4, Spellforce and Painkiller, as well as Torchlight. The fate of Arcania: Fall of Setarrif is in limbo at the moment. The Gothic franchise will soon revert back to original developer Piranha Bytes, so it's possible that the dev will shepherd the standalone expansion.
Source: Gamepro

Comments

By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Apr 21, 2011
herodotus
They had their Ups ("Panzer Elite", Painkiller") andf their Downs ("Panzer Elite Action", "Arcania: Gothic 4"), but they'll be sadly missed. I hope Piranha Bytes can resurrect the dead Gothic series.
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Apr 21, 2011
djole381
Such a sad thing. :(
By Revan (SI Elite) on Apr 21, 2011
Revan
Never heard of these guys before. :S
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Apr 21, 2011
herodotus
You've never played "Painkiller: Black Edition", Revan? Best darned FPS since "Wolfenstein 3D".
By Xyfer117 (SI Core) on Apr 21, 2011
Xyfer117
Painkiller! Those were the days!
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Apr 21, 2011
nocutius
Agreed herodotus (comment nr.1). Except i'm not afraid about the Gothic series if the original guys get it back. Risen was good enough to kill this kind of fears.
By Knave (SI Core) on Apr 21, 2011
Knave
Yeah Gothic series is back in relatively good hands. Hopefully they can keep the bugs out of the gameplay!
By Revan (SI Elite) on Apr 22, 2011
Revan
@herod Nope, never played any of their games. Always thought Painkiller looked kind of interesting, but never got around to getting it though.
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Apr 22, 2011
unsilviu
I'll always remember neighbours from hell :D
By Nicolas19 (SI Core Veteran) on Apr 23, 2011
Nicolas19
NO!!!! The makers of real gems like Europa 1400, The Guild 2, SWINE, Gothic 3 and fine business simulators are no more. Sad day indeed, I hope somebody will pick up the pieces:(