Reigns and Card Shark Developer Shuts Down as Founders Pursue Independent Paths: “I Still Have Things to Share”

After nearly 13 years and 11 titles, Nerial, the studio behind Reigns, is closing its doors.

The reasons are multifaceted, according to creative director and founder François Alliot. While the usual challenges of the gaming industry, like financial pressures, play a role, there’s a more personal aspect to the decision.

Nerial’s debut game, Reigns, launched in 2016 to widespread acclaim. Drawing inspiration from Tinder, it stood out as one of the few mobile games to penetrate mainstream gaming conversations, thanks to its clever strategy mechanics and sharp humor about power, wealth, and mortality. Its success led to several spin-offs, including themed versions based on popular franchises.

While Reigns was a hit for Nerial a decade ago, the studio’s more recent titles, Card Shark and Crush House, didn’t achieve the same level of success. This prompted Alliot to take a step back and reassess his indie career.

“It’s become a bit difficult to push forward, especially with the current context. Post-COVID, there’s been a noticeable downturn in the video game industry. AI is also taking a lot of attention away from original ideas. So, we’re in a rebuilding phase, trying to establish strong foundations. For that, I need to take a step back.”

What does this step back mean for Alliot? He still wants to create games. However, he’s found himself involved in many aspects that don’t allow for pure creativity. After Nerial was acquired by Devolver Digital in 2021, he notes that the studio became an internal entity, meaning every game had to align with Devolver’s vision. While he appreciates the partnership, he feels it has diluted the focused energy that comes with being an independent developer.

“Being part of Devolver means our games need to fit their brand. While we could have found common ground, it often leads to second-guessing. I want to return to that indie spirit, where I can create without so many external considerations.”

As part of the closure, Devolver retains the rights to Nerial’s existing games, a decision Alliot is comfortable with. He feels he has expressed everything he could through those titles and maintains a good relationship with Devolver. If they decide to pursue sequels or new projects, he’s confident they’ll reach out. Meanwhile, he’s keeping his prototypes, which is his current priority.

Nerial’s team consisted of nine members, and while Alliot and his wife, Tamara, will continue to develop games together, the other seven are being let go. He hopes to collaborate with them as contractors in the future but can’t keep them on as full-time employees right now. He specifically wanted to acknowledge his team:

“There’s Helen O’Dell, the talented artist behind Reigns. AJ Kerr, our producer. Developers Gordon Speirs, Ben Obikoya, and Neil Goodman, who bring decades of experience to the table. Oscar Harrington-Shaw, who wrote Reigns: The Witcher, and Neil Bull, our designer. They’ve all done incredible work.”

Alliot is looking forward to taking a breather after the demands of running a studio. He’s been visiting art museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay for inspiration, hinting that his next project may draw from the art world.

I mention that it’s a challenging time to let go of himself and eight others, especially with investment in games dwindling and many facing job uncertainty. While he’s not personally worried, he acknowledges the tough climate:

“There’s a rapidly changing landscape in gaming right now, especially with AI. We’re seeing original concepts being replicated almost instantly, leading to countless iterations on platforms like Steam. This pace is alarming. Our goal is to introduce something fresh with each new project, offering unique experiences. If that can be copied so quickly, it raises concerns. We’re still navigating these changes, and it may take years to adapt. I hope we emerge stronger.”

“I don’t know what the future holds, but it feels like we’re in a whirlwind, and it’s moving fast. As an indie, I’m not overly concerned. I still have stories to tell and new ideas to explore, and I hope people will recognize that.”