[release][url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-03-19-dark-energy-digital-under-administration][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12875849/jotain/logo-ig.png[/img][/url]
[B]Firm's closure confirmed by administrators, fate of IP and staff unknown
[/B]
It's been confirmed to GamesIndustry International that Manchester studio Dark Energy Digital, creators of Hydrophobia, has entered administration.
Administrators Leonard Curtis moved in last Friday, March 16, to oversee the operation.
GamesIndustry International first reported the story in February, after an inside source reported that the developer was closing its doors.
Despite some protestation from management, those sources unfortunately appear to be correct.
It is also suspected that the company's assets could be bundled into a 'pre-packed' administration deal, with newly formed outfit Dark Energy Publishing, said to be lined up to take control of physical assets and IP at a bargain price.
Dark Energy Publishing was founded in January by Dark Energy Digital owners Pete and Deborah Jones, as well as the company's technical director Gary Leach. GamesIndustry International's source also indicated that staff wages are somewhat in lieu, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Dark Energy Digital had struggled to balance the books after Hydrophobia performed poorly at market, even after a 'reboot' was released which was designed to address many reviewers issues. Hydrophobia's purpose-built water physics engine is likely to be one of the major assets up for grabs during liquidation of the company.
The administration team have been contacted for more information, which will appear here as we receive it.
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Hydrophobia wasn't that good, but HydroEngine was pretty cool. Hopefully someone will take it and use it in a better game.
Hydrophobia was a shit game anyway and they made way too bug of a deal about their reviews, going as far as to harass people about them.
While it was a shit game, Hydrophobia had some interesting tech behind it so let's hope that doesn't die.
Looks like they're Ded.
I remember when hydrophobia got a bad review and one of them sent the guy a load of emails saying he had downs syndrome and didn't know what a good game was.
Was funny.
Hydrophobia was one of the few modern games I have played without getting bored in minutes, to me an absolute masterpiece.
Very sad news :(
Hydrophobia had some annoying story flaws (and the worst voice actor ever), but the gameplay was very good. The liquid physics especially were very very cool.
Hahaha...
Liquidation.
Get it? Hydrophobia.. Liquidation?
Oh go to hell.
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