Blitz Games Studios closes doors after 23 years

U.K. developer Blitz Games Studios is ceasing operations after 23 years in business. TheLeamington Spacompany, which largely worked onfamily-friendly licensed titles, today announced that about 125 of its 175 employees will be out of their jobs.

Blitz will seek to retain the remaining 50 within a new company for two projects which are "self-sustaining financially." More information on the studio will be released soon. The future of IndieCity, its child company and online marketplace for small developers, is less certain.

"It has been an absolute honour to lead such an extraordinary group of highly talented people who have consistently pushed boundaries and created amazing games that we've been hugely proud of," Blitz co-founder and CEO Philip Oliver said in a statement. "We've been humbled by the loyalty and commitment that they've all shown over the last 23 years and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our staff, past and present, for their years of loyalty, their creative drive and their commitment to Blitz and to us."

Thomas Was Alone creator Mike Bithell is a former employee of the studio. He tweeted his regrets for the company, followed by a long string of employment opportunities for its laid-off employees.