Wanderstop studio Ivy Road to shut down on March 31

by

Wanderstop developer Ivy Road will shut down on March 31, the studio announced.

The studio expressed immense gratitude for the collaboration on Wanderstop, calling the team amazing. They were also enthusiastic about a new project, Engine Angel, but sadly, they weren’t able to secure the necessary funding, which ultimately led to the studio’s closure.

I’m so excited! Ivy Road hinted that there’s one more surprise coming for Wanderstop – they’ve been secretly working on it for a whole year, trying to find a way to get the game into the hands of even more players. Annapurna Interactive says they’ll share details soon, and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

The game Wanderstop will continue to be sold on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC through Steam.

Here is the full message from Ivy Road on its closure:

Hi everyone,

Today, we must share some bittersweet news: Ivy Road is closing its doors as of March 31, 2026.

We’re incredibly grateful for the chance to have worked with the amazing team on Wanderstop. Although we were enthusiastic about our new project, Engine Angel, we unfortunately weren’t able to secure the necessary funding, which led to the studio closing down.

What Does This Mean for Wanderstop?

We have one final exciting announcement! For the past year, we’ve been collaborating with Annapurna Interactive on a project to help more people discover Wanderstop. They’ll be sharing the details soon, and we can’t wait for you to hear about it!

You can continue to play and buy the game on the platforms where it’s currently offered. For any questions, feedback, or bug reports, please contact us at help@annapurnainteractive.com.

As a player, I was really excited to hear they’re including chapter select codes! It’s awesome knowing that if I get totally stuck somewhere, or just want to revisit a favorite part of the game, I can easily jump back in. It’s a great way to experience the game however I want.

Adding this code will unlock a “Chapter Select” feature, letting you begin a new game cycle from any chapter you choose.

How to Input the Chapter Select Code?

To unlock a secret, go to the Chapter Select screen. Then, using the directional pad (D-pad), press: Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, the Right Mouse Button (RMB), Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, RMB, Up, Down, and finally, Up.

What Does This Mean for the Team and Engine Angel?

We looked for a publisher to help us with the project, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find one. Getting funding for games is difficult right now, so while we expected it might be challenging, we’re still sad that we won’t be able to develop Engine Angel as a team. Liz has created a fantastic idea, and we hope it gets made someday!

This unfortunately means many of our team members are now seeking new job opportunities. If you’re hiring developers or know of any openings, please see this Bluesky thread for details about our talented colleagues who are currently looking for work.

THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Wanderstop and our team in any shape or form.

Let me tell you, making games is hard. It’s not just about being good with tech, though that’s a huge part of it. You really pour your heart and soul – and a lot of your money – into a project. Expect to spend countless hours working on it, and even then, you need a little bit of luck to really make it all come together. It’s a tough but rewarding process, honestly.

We’re incredibly proud to have built something as a team that so many players – hundreds of thousands, in fact – were able to enjoy. We hope it inspires you to create something yourself, whether it’s art, music, writing, or even a game!

Don’t forget to prioritize your well-being! Relax with a cup of tea, get enough rest, and be sure to spend some time with your pluffins.

—The Ivy Road Team

Read More

2026-03-28 01:17